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wrong

adj. · adv. · n. · v.
US //ˈɹɔŋ// UK //ɹˈɒŋ// wrong
  1. 1 incorrect (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    not correct or not true.

    not in accordance with fact, truth, or a particular standard.

    Example

    I gave the wrong answer to the teacher's question.

    Example

    The witness provided the wrong date for the incident, which led the investigators to pursue a completely different line of inquiry.
    Pitfall
    I am wrong with you.
    I am wrong about you.

    Use 'about' to indicate the subject of the error.

  2. 2 immoral (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    not good or not fair according to rules or morals.

    morally unacceptable or unjust.

    Example

    It is wrong to take things that do not belong to you.

    Example

    The philosopher argued that it is inherently wrong to deceive others, even if the deception results in a temporary benefit.
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  1. 3 not working (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    used when there is a problem with someone or something.

    functioning incorrectly or in an abnormal condition; often used in the phrase 'what is wrong'.

    Example

    Something is wrong with my computer because it won't turn on.

    Example

    The mechanic quickly identified that something was wrong with the fuel pump, explaining the engine's sudden loss of power on the motorway.
  2. 4 incorrectly (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    in a way that is not correct.

    in an unsuitable or incorrect manner; often follows the verb.

    Example

    I think I spelled her name wrong on the invitation.

    Example

    If the data is entered wrong at the start of the process, the final report will be entirely unreliable.

    Usage

    In informal speech, 'wrong' often replaces 'wrongly' after a verb.
  3. 5 an injustice (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    an unfair or bad action.

    an instance of unjust or immoral treatment; a violation of a person's rights.

    Example

    He wanted to right the wrongs of the past.

    Example

    The legal team sought to address the historical wrongs committed against the community through a series of restitution claims.
  4. 6 to treat unfairly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    to treat someone in an unfair or bad way.

    to treat someone unjustly or to harm them by an unfair act.

    Example

    She felt that she had been wronged by her former employer.

    Example

    The protagonist spends the second act of the play seeking revenge against those who had wronged his family years before.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

From Middle English wrong, from Old English wrang (“wrong, twisted, uneven”), from Old Norse rangr, vrangr (“crooked, wrong”), from Proto-Germanic wrangaz (“crooked, twisted, turned awry”), from Proto-Indo-European werḱ-, wrengʰ- (“to twist, weave, tie together”), from wer- (“to turn, bend”). Cognate with Scots wrang (“wrong”), Danish vrang (“wrong, crooked”), Swedish vrång (“perverse, distorted”), Icelandic rangur (“wrong”), Norwegian Nynorsk rang (“wrong”), Dutch wrang (“bitter, sour”) and the first element in the mythic Old Frisian city of Rungholt (“crooked wood”). More at wring.

Idioms17 entries

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