Word
rectify
Phoneticsrec·ti·fy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛktəˌfaɪ/
UK/ɹˈɛktɪfˌaɪ/
Definitions
01to correct a mistake
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to fix a mistake or a problem so that things are correct again.
v. to remedy or set right an undesirable situation, error, or defect.
“The company promised to rectify the error on my bill immediately.”
“The management team met urgently to discuss how to rectify the damage caused by the recent data breach.”
02electronics
C1 · Advanced Computing Technical
v. to change an electric current from one that flows back and forth to one that flows in one direction.
v. to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).
“A diode is used to rectify the current in the power supply.”
“The circuit requires a bridge rectifier to efficiently rectify the high-voltage AC input into a stable DC output for the sensitive components.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03chemistry
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
v. to make a liquid pure by heating it and collecting the vapour.
v. to purify or refine a substance, especially a spirit or liquid, by repeated distillation.
“The alcohol must be rectified several times to reach the required purity.”
“The laboratory technician was tasked to rectify the crude extract to ensure no volatile impurities remained in the final solution.”
Antonyms
04mathematics
C2 · Proficiency Mathematics Technical · Formal
v. to find the exact length of a curved line.
v. to determine the length of a curve between two specific points.
“The students learned how to rectify a curve using calculus.”
“The professor demonstrated the integration techniques required to rectify the arc length of a complex parabola.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a noun representing a problem or error.
Pitfall
rectify about the problem
rectify the problem
Rectify is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“If after 60 days the problem is not rectified, the people can sue.” “You are an important bridge and have rectified the situation whenever we have a crisis in our relations with the US.” Etymology
From Middle English rectifien, from Anglo-Norman rectifiier, rectefier (“to make straight”), from Medieval Latin rēctificō (“to make right”), from Latin rēctus (“straight”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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