right
/raɪt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
True or correct; not wrong. It can also mean suitable or fair in a situation.
- Your answer is right.
- This is the right time to call her.
noun
A moral or legal freedom to do something, or to have something.
- You have the right to vote.
- Everyone has basic human rights.
adverb
Exactly, immediately, or directly. It can also mean on the right side.
- Come right here.
- Turn right at the traffic light.
verb
To make something straight or correct, especially after it was bent or wrong.
- Please right the chair.
- They tried to right the mistake quickly.
Adinary Nuance
Right is broader than correct. Use right for answers, choices, and fairness; use correct for facts, spelling, or formal checking. Right can also mean the opposite of left, which correct cannot.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đúng
- Spanish
- correcto
- Chinese
- 正确
- Japanese
- 正しい
- Korean
- 맞는
Etymology
Old English right meant 'straight' or 'correct'. It comes from a Germanic root related to fairness and direction.
Common phrases
right answerright nowhuman rightsright side
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'right' more formal than 'correct'?
- Not always. **Right** is common in speech and writing, while **correct** sounds a little more formal.
- What is the difference between 'right' and 'correct'?
- **Right** can mean correct, fair, or on the right side. **Correct** usually means factually or grammatically accurate.
- Can I say 'You are right' in business English?
- Yes. It is natural and polite, especially when agreeing with someone.
- Is 'right' used in academic writing?
- Yes, but often in fixed phrases like **human rights** or **right angle**.