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REFERENCE

right

adj. · adv. · n. · v. · interj.
US //ˈɹaɪt// UK //ɹˈaɪt// right
  1. 1 direction (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    the side of your body that is not the left; for most people, the hand they use to write.

    relating to the side of the body which is to the east when facing north.

    Example

    In many countries, people drive on the right side of the road.

    Example

    The patient reported a sharp, recurring pain in her right shoulder that worsened whenever she attempted to lift heavy objects.
  2. 2 correct (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    correct or true; not making a mistake.

    conforming to facts, truth, or a required standard.

    Example

    I hope I gave the right answer to the teacher's question.

    Example

    After reviewing the data, the researchers concluded that their initial hypothesis had been right all along.
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  1. 3 suitable (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the best or most suitable person or thing for a situation.

    appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose or person.

    Example

    It took a long time to find the right person for the job.

    Example

    Finding the right balance between professional ambition and personal well-being is a challenge for many modern workers.
  2. 4 90-degree angle (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Math

    describing an angle of 90 degrees, like the corner of a square.

    denoting an angle of 90 degrees, formed by two perpendicular lines.

    Example

    A square has four right angles.

    Example

    The architect ensured that every corner of the foundation formed a perfect right angle to prevent structural issues later.
  3. 5 exactly (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    exactly or directly in a certain place or time.

    precisely or directly; used to emphasize a location or time.

    Example

    The shop is right next to the cinema.

    Example

    The keys were sitting right where I had left them on the kitchen counter.
  4. 6 immediately (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    immediately or without waiting.

    immediately or at once; often used in the phrase 'right away'.

    Example

    I'll be right back after I finish this phone call.

    Example

    The manager requested that the errors in the report be corrected right away to avoid misleading the board.
  5. 7 very (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Dialect British English

    very or extremely.

    used as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.

    Example

    That was a right mess you made in the kitchen.

    Example

    He knew right well that he shouldn't have signed the contract without reading the fine print first.
  6. 8 legal entitlement (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    something that you are morally or legally allowed to do or have.

    a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.

    Example

    Every child should have the right to go to school.

    Example

    The constitutional amendment was designed to protect the individual's right to privacy in the digital age.
  7. 9 politics (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Politics

    people or political parties that support traditional or conservative ideas.

    the conservative or reactionary section of a political party or system.

    Example

    The candidate is popular with voters on the right.

    Example

    The shift toward the political right in recent elections has led to significant changes in economic policy.
    • the left
  8. 10 to correct (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to fix a bad situation or put something back in its correct position.

    to restore to a normal or correct state or position.

    Example

    The boat tipped over, but the crew managed to right it.

    Example

    The company took immediate steps to right the situation after the public relations disaster.
  9. 11 agreement (interj.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    used to show that you agree or understand what someone said.

    used to express agreement, understanding, or to signal a transition in conversation.

    Example

    'We're meeting at six.' 'Right, see you then.'

    Example

    'Right, let's move on to the next item on the agenda,' the chairperson said, effectively ending the debate.
Etymology 1

From Middle English right, from Old English riht, reht (“right,” also the word for “straight” and “direct”), from Proto-West Germanic reht, from Proto-Germanic rehtaz, from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵtós (“having moved in a straight line”), from h₃reǵ- (“to straighten, direct”). The Germanic adjective which has been used also as a noun since the common Germanic period. Cognates Cognate with West Frisian rjocht (“right”), Dutch recht (“straight”), German recht and Recht (“right”), Luxembourgish Recht, riets (“right”), riicht (“straight”), Yiddish רעכט (rekht, “right”), Danish ret (“right”), Faroese rættur (“right”), Icelandic réttur (“right”), Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk rett (“right”), Swedish rätt, rät (“right”). The Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek ὀρεκτός (orektós) and Latin rēctus; Albanian drejt was borrowed from Latin.

Etymology 2

From Middle English right, righte, from Old English rihte, rehte (“right; rightly; due; directly; straight”), from Proto-Germanic rehta, from rehtaz (“right; straight”).

Etymology 3

From Middle English right, from Old English riht, reht, ġeriht (“that which is right, just, or proper”), from Proto-West Germanic reht, from Proto-Germanic rehtą (“a right”), from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵtom, from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵt- (“to straighten; direct”). Cognate with Dutch recht (“a right; privilege”), German Recht (“a right”), Danish ret (“a right”).

Etymology 4

From Middle English righten, reghten, riȝten, from Old English rihtan, ġerihtan (“to straighten, judge, set upright, set right”), from Proto-West Germanic rihtijan, from Proto-Germanic rihtijaną (“to straighten; rectify; judge”).

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