# corrective

/kɝˈɛktɪv/ (US) · /kəɹˈɛktɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/corrective
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

something that is intended to fix a problem or balance out a bad situation. You use it when you want to make things right again after a mistake.

For teachers: a measure or action intended to rectify an error, imbalance, or undesirable situation. Often used in political, economic, or social contexts to describe a policy that offsets a previous trend.

## Examples

- The new law acts as a corrective to the old system.
- The central bank raised interest rates as a corrective to the rapidly rising inflation seen over the last quarter.
- Her latest book serves as a necessary corrective to the romanticised historical accounts that have dominated the curriculum for decades, providing a more grounded perspective on the era.

## Usage notes

- Often paired with the preposition 'to' ('a corrective to').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.