# wrong

/ˈɹɔŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈɒŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wrong
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. incorrect

adjective · CEFR A1

not correct or not true.

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

- I gave the wrong answer to the teacher's question.
- The witness provided the wrong date for the incident, which led the investigators to pursue a completely different line of inquiry.

### 2. immoral

adjective · CEFR A2

not good or not fair according to rules or morals.

For teachers: morally unacceptable or unjust.

- It is wrong to take things that do not belong to you.
- The philosopher argued that it is inherently wrong to deceive others, even if the deception results in a temporary benefit.

### 3. not working

adjective · CEFR A2

used when there is a problem with someone or something.

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

- Something is wrong with my computer because it won't turn on.
- The mechanic quickly identified that something was wrong with the fuel pump, explaining the engine's sudden loss of power on the motorway.

### 4. incorrectly

adverb · CEFR B1 · Informal

in a way that is not correct.

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

- I think I spelled her name wrong on the invitation.
- 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.

### 5. an injustice

noun · CEFR B2

an unfair or bad action.

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

- He wanted to right the wrongs of the past.
- The legal team sought to address the historical wrongs committed against the community through a series of restitution claims.

### 6. to treat unfairly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to treat someone in an unfair or bad way.

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

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

## Examples

- He knows the difference between right and wrong.
- The lawyer argued that his client had committed no legal wrong during the business merger.
- The philosopher spent his career examining whether a single wrong could ever be justified if it resulted in a greater good for the majority of society.

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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.