incorrect

IPA/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/
KK[ˌɪnkɚˈɛkt]IPA/ˌɪnkəˈrekt/

incorrect — adjective

  • incorrectpositive
  • more incorrectcomparative
  • most incorrectsuperlative

1. Containing mistakes or not matching the facts — used about answers, calculations

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

Containing mistakes or not matching the facts — used about answers, calculations, statements, or beliefs that are not right.

Example

Tomás gave an incorrect answer during the math test and lost two points.

attributive: incorrect + noun (answer, data, statement)

Aiko's cost estimate was incorrect because she forgot to include the shipping fees.

predicative: be + incorrect

Common collocations
  • incorrect answer
  • incorrect information
  • incorrect calculation
  • incorrect assumption
  • incorrect statement
  • incorrect data
Synonyms
  • wrong

    Less formal and more common in everyday speech; can sound stronger or more personal.

  • false

    Often implies deception or a deliberate lie, rather than an honest mistake.

  • inaccurate

    Suggests the answer or information is close to correct but not exact.

  • erroneous

    Very formal; used mainly in technical, legal, or academic writing.

Antonyms
  • correct

    Neutral and direct opposite; common in all contexts.

  • accurate

    Emphasises precision and exactness rather than simple right-or-wrong.

  • right

    Less formal than 'correct'; common in everyday conversation.

Grammar Patterns

incorrect + noun

be + incorrect

it + be + incorrect + to-infinitive

Usage Note

More formal than 'wrong'. 'Incorrect' is neutral about intent — it does not suggest deception, unlike 'false'. Common in academic and professional writing.

Common Mistakes

The test results are false' (when you mean they have mistakes).
The test results are incorrect.
'false' suggests deliberate deception or a lie; 'incorrect' is neutral about intent.

2. Not suitable or proper according to accepted social or professional standards —

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Not suitable or proper according to accepted social or professional standards — used about behaviour, language, clothing, or actions that break the rules of a situation.

Example

It is considered incorrect to wear casual clothes to a formal wedding ceremony.

it + be + considered + incorrect + to-infinitive

The diplomat's remarks were politically incorrect and caused a public apology.

collocation: politically incorrect

Common collocations
  • incorrect behaviour
  • incorrect remark
  • incorrect conduct
  • politically incorrect
  • socially incorrect
Synonyms
  • improper

    Very similar in meaning and formality; often interchangeable with this sense.

  • inappropriate

    More common in everyday use; slightly broader in meaning.

  • unacceptable

    Stronger — suggests the behaviour cannot be tolerated at all.

Antonyms
  • proper

    Direct opposite; used in the same formal contexts.

  • appropriate

    More common and slightly less formal than 'proper'.

  • acceptable

    Softer; means the behaviour is allowed even if not ideal.

Grammar Patterns

incorrect + noun (behaviour, remark, conduct)

be + incorrect

it + be + incorrect + to-infinitive

politically incorrect

Usage Note

Typically found in formal descriptions of behaviour, manners, or professional conduct. In everyday conversation, 'inappropriate' or 'not right' are more common. The fixed phrase 'politically incorrect' is an exception — it is widely used in informal media.

Common Mistakes

His clothing was wrong for the ceremony' (acceptable but informal).
His clothing was incorrect for the ceremony.
'incorrect' is more precise for formal social rules and expectations.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that is not correct, but they differ in formality, intent, and how the mistake happens. WRONG is the everyday, all-purpose word — you use it for a wrong turn, a wrong answer, or a wrong decision. It can sound stronger or more personal than 'incorrect'. INCORRECT is more formal and neutral: it simply states that something does not match the facts, without suggesting blame or deception. It is the standard choice in exams, reports, and professional feedback. FALSE often carries the suggestion that something is deliberately untrue or misleading ('false statement', 'false accusation'), though it can also describe things that are simply not real ('false teeth', 'false alarm'). INACCURATE means close to correct but not exact ('inaccurate measurements', 'inaccurate memory') — the error is one of precision rather than of being completely wrong. ERRONEOUS is the most formal word of the group, found in legal, academic, or technical writing ('erroneous conclusion', 'erroneous belief'). In a typical classroom or office setting, use 'incorrect' for neutral feedback and 'wrong' for everyday conversation.

wrong ↗false ↗inaccurate ↗erroneous ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • clearly incorrect
  • obviously incorrect
  • simply incorrect
  • completely incorrect
  • factually incorrect
  • demonstrably incorrect
  • patently incorrect

Phrases

  • prove incorrect
  • be considered incorrect
  • deem incorrect
  • regard as incorrect

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'incorrectus' — 'in-' (not) + 'correctus' (corrected, set right), the past participle of 'corrigere' (to make straight, to correct). The word entered English in the 15th century with the meaning 'not corrected.' By the 17th century it had shifted to mean 'containing errors' or 'not accurate.' The sense of 'not socially proper' developed a little later, in the 18th century, as standards of polite behaviour became more codified.