wrong
/rɒŋ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Not correct, true, or suitable. It can describe an answer, a choice, a belief, or a thing that does not fit.
- That answer is wrong.
- I took the wrong bus.
- You have the wrong idea.
adverb
In a bad, incorrect, or unfair way. It is often used after verbs like 'go', 'do', or 'treat'.
- Something went wrong.
- He did it wrong.
- She was treated wrong.
noun
Something that is morally bad, unfair, or not allowed. It is often used with 'the' as in 'the wrong'.
- Stealing is wrong.
- He admitted the wrong.
- We should speak out against wrong.
Adinary Nuance
Wrong is broader than incorrect. Use wrong for everyday speech, mistakes, bad choices, and unfair actions; incorrect sounds more formal and is common in writing or tests. It is also different from false, which usually means not true, not simply mistaken.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sai
- Spanish
- incorrecto
- Chinese
- 错误的
- Japanese
- 間違った
- Korean
- 틀린
Etymology
Old English wrang or wrong meant 'crooked' or 'not straight'. It later developed the sense of 'incorrect' and 'morally bad'.
Common phrases
wrong answerwrong sidewrong waywrongdoer
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'wrong' formal or informal?
- It is common in both speech and writing. 'Incorrect' sounds more formal.
- What is the difference between 'wrong' and 'incorrect'?
- 'Wrong' is broader and more natural in daily English. 'Incorrect' is more formal and often used for facts, answers, or records.
- Can I say 'He is wrong' in a polite way?
- Yes, but it can sound direct. A softer option is 'I think he may be mistaken.'
- Is 'wrong' used for moral meaning too?
- Yes. It can mean bad, unfair, or not morally right.