English Reference
noun

correctness

n.
US /kɝˈɛktnəs/ UK /kəɹˈɛktnəs/ cor·rect·ness UK spelling correctnesses

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of being right or having no mistakes.

    the state of being free from error; accuracy in fact or calculation.

    Simple

    The teacher checked the correctness of the student's answers against the key.

    In context

    The editor questioned the historical correctness of the dates mentioned in the first chapter of the biography.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    following the rules for how you should act or speak in a certain group.

    conformity to social, linguistic, or professional standards and conventions.

    Simple

    He was always worried about the correctness of his manners at formal dinners.

    In context

    The committee debated the political correctness of the proposed terminology before finalizing the public statement.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    the state of a computer program working exactly as it was designed to.

    the property of an algorithm or software that consistently satisfies its formal specification.

    Simple

    The engineers spent weeks testing the correctness of the new banking software.

    In context

    Formal verification is required to prove the correctness of the flight control system under extreme conditions.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of 'formal correctness' or 'mathematical correctness'.

But the judge ruled that "far from exculpating her, it incriminates her or reinforces the correctness" of her conviction.

BBC News· 25 Aug 2026

Political correctness came in, and you can’t laugh at each other and you can’t laugh at yourself.

The Guardian· 24 Aug 2026

From correct + -ness.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated