# correctness

/kɝˈɛktnəs/ (US) · /kəɹˈɛktnəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/correctness
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. accuracy

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being right or having no mistakes.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. proper behavior

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. computing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The teacher checked the correctness of the answers.
- We need to verify the correctness of the data before publishing the report.
- The debate focused less on the correctness of the policy and more on its practical implementation.

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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.