ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rectify

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɹɛktəˌfaɪ// UK //ɹˈɛktɪfˌaɪ// rec·ti·fy Archaic

v. to correct something that is wrong or fix a problem. You use this when you want to make a situation right again.

v. to correct a mistake, error, or undesirable situation; to set right. In technical contexts, refers to the conversion of alternating current to direct current.


SIMPLE

The company promised to rectify the error immediately.

CONTEXTUAL

After discovering the billing mistake, the manager worked quickly to rectify the situation and refund the customer.

COMPLEX

The new legislation was introduced specifically to rectify the systemic inequalities that had persisted in the housing market for decades, though critics argued the changes were merely cosmetic.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English rectifien, from Anglo-Norman rectifiier, rectefier (“to make straight”), from Medieval Latin rēctificō (“to make right”), from Latin rēctus (“straight”).

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a noun representing a problem or error.

Pitfall

rectify about the problemrectify the problemRectify is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about'.

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