Word
correctness
Phoneticscor·rect·ness, stress on the second syllable
US/kɝˈɛktnəs/
UK/kəɹˈɛktnəs/
Definitions
01accuracy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being right or having no mistakes.
n. the state of being free from error; accuracy in fact or calculation.
“The teacher checked the correctness of the student's answers against the key.”
“The editor questioned the historical correctness of the dates mentioned in the first chapter of the biography.”
Antonyms
02proper behavior
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. following the rules for how you should act or speak in a certain group.
n. conformity to social, linguistic, or professional standards and conventions.
“He was always worried about the correctness of his manners at formal dinners.”
“The committee debated the political correctness of the proposed terminology before finalizing the public statement.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03computing
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the state of a computer program working exactly as it was designed to.
n. the property of an algorithm or software that consistently satisfies its formal specification.
“The engineers spent weeks testing the correctness of the new banking software.”
“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'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“But the judge ruled that "far from exculpating her, it incriminates her or reinforces the correctness" of her conviction.” “Political correctness came in, and you can’t laugh at each other and you can’t laugh at yourself.” Etymology
From correct + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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