Corrective Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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corrective

[kəˈrɛktɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

behavior modification

Intended to correct or improve behavior or performance.

Synonyms

ameliorative, rectifying, remedial.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
corrective

Best used when talking about something designed to fix or improve a defect or problem. Often used in contexts related to policies, actions, or measures.

  • The company announced several corrective actions to address the safety issues.
  • He was put on a corrective training program to improve his performance.
rectifying

Appropriate for situations where an error or mistake needs to be corrected. Commonly used in technical, legal, or financial contexts.

  • The accountant found an error in the report and spent the afternoon rectifying it.
  • Measures are being taken to rectify the discrepancies in the election results.
ameliorative

Used when discussing actions or measures that improve a situation or make it better, often in social or economic contexts.

  • The new policy has an ameliorative effect on the living conditions in the underprivileged areas.
  • They introduced ameliorative measures to help the struggling economy.
remedial

Often used in educational or medical contexts to describe actions intended to improve a deficient skill or health condition.

  • She was enrolled in remedial classes to catch up with her peers.
  • The doctor prescribed a remedial treatment to address the chronic pain.

Examples of usage

  • It is important to provide corrective feedback to employees.
  • The teacher used corrective measures to help the students improve their test scores.
Context #2 | Noun

medicine

A device or treatment that corrects a defect, error, or deficiency.

Synonyms

remedy, solution, treatment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
corrective

Use in situations where something is meant to fix or correct a problem or issue, often used in medical, educational, or procedural contexts.

  • The school implemented corrective measures to address the bullying problem
  • The doctor prescribed corrective surgery to fix the issue
remedy

Use when referring to a means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation, often used in medical or legal contexts.

  • She found a natural remedy to cure her headaches
  • The court's decision acted as a remedy to the legal dispute
solution

Use when referring to a means of solving a particular problem or dealing with a difficult situation, typically used in general, academic, or business scenarios.

  • The team brainstormed to find the best solution to the issue
  • Technology offers many solutions to everyday problems
treatment

Use when referring to medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury, often used in healthcare or therapeutic contexts.

  • The patient received treatment for his broken leg
  • Regular treatment helped improve her chronic condition

Examples of usage

  • She wore corrective lenses to improve her vision.
  • The dentist recommended a corrective procedure for the alignment of his teeth.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Corrective feedback in teaching helps students understand their mistakes and learn from them.
  • Using corrective methods in classrooms encourages a growth mindset, where mistakes are seen as steps to improvement.
  • Many educational systems implement corrective measures to ensure all students achieve their learning goals.

Psychology

  • In therapy, corrective emotional experiences can help individuals overcome past traumas by addressing unresolved feelings.
  • Corrective strategies in cognitive behavioral therapy focus on changing unhelpful thought patterns to improve mental health.
  • The concept of corrective action in psychology emphasizes the importance of adapting behavior based on earlier mistakes.

Health

  • Corrective surgeries, like those for misaligned teeth, aim to improve function and appearance.
  • Exercises aimed at corrective movements help individuals restore balance and improve posture.
  • Physical therapists often use corrective techniques to rehabilitate injuries and restore mobility.

Legal

  • Corrective justice is a principle where a wrongdoer must make amends for their actions in order to restore balance.
  • In law, corrective measures can include revisions of unjust laws to better serve society.
  • Judicial systems may employ corrective tools such as injunctions and fines to enforce accountability.

Origin of 'corrective'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'corrective' comes from the Latin word 'correctivus', meaning to make right or fix.
  • It first appeared in the English language around the 14th century, emphasizing the need for improvement.
  • The root 'correct' is derived from 'corrigere', which means 'to set right' or 'to straighten out'.

The word 'corrective' originates from the verb 'correct', which comes from the Latin word 'corrigere', meaning 'to make straight, set right, reform'. The concept of correction or improvement has been essential in various fields such as education, medicine, and behavior modification.


See also: autocorrect, correctable, corrected, correcting, correction, corrections, correctly, correctness, corrector, incorrectly, incorrectness.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,648 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.