corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective punishment

corrective noun

correctively adverb

Synonyms

• amendatory
• rectifying
• remedial
• remedying
• reformative
• reformatory

Examples of corrective in a Sentence

She had corrective surgery on her knee this past summer.

People with bad eyesight usually need to wear corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Recent Examples on the Web

Part memoir and part oral history, Let the Record Show is a master class on the utility of anger and a historical corrective to chronicles that depict straight white men as the main heroes of the AIDS crisis. —Ruth Madievsky, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2024

As long as there is no evidence that the A/D line is diverging from prices any drops below its WMA or EMA are corrective periods not a change in the major trend. —Tom Aspray, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

On Thursday, Chief U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw referred to that review in response to questions about what corrective or disciplinary action, if any, the U.S. District Court in San Diego, which oversees Pretrial Services, had taken. —Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Vice President Harris's proposal to support the building of millions of new housing units would be an important corrective. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing corrective

• self-corrective

Kids Definition

corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: serving to correct : having the power of making right, normal, or regular

corrective lenses

corrective action

corrective noun

Medical Definition

corrective

1 of 2 adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv 

: intended to correct

corrective lenses

corrective surgery

correctively adverb

corrective

2 of 2 noun

: a medication that removes undesirable or unpleasant side effects of other medication

phenobarbital acts as a corrective in overcoming the insomnia produced by ephedrine