Incorrect is an adjectivea word that describes a noun or pronoun used when something is not right, not accuratecorrect and free from mistakes or errors, or not in line with a rule or standardan accepted level of quality or correctness. It is a common formal way to say that something is wrong.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɪnkəˈrɛkt/
Easy pronunciation: in-kuh-REKT (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the third syllable: rect.
Used as an adjective meaning not right or not true.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Incorrect Meaning
not right; wrong
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Not correct; not in line with fact, truth, or the right answer.
Example: Your answer is incorrect.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- wrong — A direct and common substitute in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Incorrect
Meaning 2
full of mistakes; not done properly
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Characterized by errors or not matching a model, pattern, or standard.
Example: The document contains an incorrect transcription.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- faulty — Works when something has errors or has been done badly.
- wrong — Possible in general, though less precise than faulty in this sense.
Meaning 3
not allowed by the usual rules or way of doing things
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Not in accord with accepted rules, customs, or procedure.
Example: It is incorrect for staff to accept gifts from customers.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- wrong — Works as a general substitute, especially in moral or procedural contexts.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Incorrect Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- wrong
full of errors or not matching a standard
- faulty
- wrong
not in accord with accepted rules or procedure
- wrong
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using incorrect to mean 'insincere' or 'rude'—those are different words.
- Mixing up incorrect with 'inaccurate': inaccurate is usually about information or measurements not being exact.
- Using faulty for every meaning of incorrect; faulty fits errors or defects, but not every wrong answer or rule violation.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does incorrect mean?
Incorrect means not right, not accurate, or not in agreement with a rule or standard.
What is a simple synonym for incorrect?
Wrong is the simplest and most common synonym.
Is faulty a synonym for incorrect?
Sometimes. Faulty fits the sense of something having errors or defects, but it is not the best synonym for every use of incorrect.
Can incorrect describe grammar?
Yes. It can describe a word, phrase, or sentence that does not follow grammatical rules.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
