incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

1

a

: not true : wrong

incorrect answers

b

: inaccurate, faulty

an incorrect transcription

2

: unbecoming, improper

incorrect behavior

3

obsolete : not corrected or chastened

incorrectly

ˌin-kə-ˈrek(t)-lē 

adverb

incorrectness

ˌin-kə-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• mistaken
• wrong

Examples of incorrect in a Sentence

The doctor's diagnosis was incorrect.

The story in the newspaper is incorrect.

The restaurant considers jeans and T-shirts incorrect attire for dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The toy maker advised parents that the label was incorrect and directed consumers who had already purchased the product to discard its packaging and contact Mattel Customer Service. —Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

But the chances of an offer shared with applicants interested in NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies and Millennium High School were incorrect due to an error in the programs’ seat availability. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024

But an incorrect response loses any points the team might’ve already gained from this clue, and another team is allowed to steal. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Customers were advised to discard the product packaging and obscure the incorrect link. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incorrectus, from in- + correctus correct

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing incorrect

• politically incorrect

Kids Definition

incorrect

adjective

in·​cor·​rect ˌin-kə-ˈrekt 

: not correct: as

a

: inaccurate, faulty

an incorrect copy

b

: not true : wrong

an incorrect answer

c

: not proper

incorrect behavior

incorrectly

-ˈrek-(t)lē 

adverb

incorrectness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun