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Incorrectly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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incorrectly

[ˌɪnkəˈrektli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

used to indicate that something is done in a wrong or inaccurate way

Not correctly; inaccurately.

Synonyms

erroneously, improperly, inaccurately, wrongly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incorrectly

Used in formal or informal contexts to describe actions or statements that are not correct.

  • She spelled the word incorrectly
  • The report was filed incorrectly
wrongly

Commonly used to describe moral or factual incorrectness, can carry a stronger negative judgment.

  • He was wrongly accused of theft
  • The test results were wrongly interpreted
inaccurately

Used to discuss the precision of information, often in a formal or technical context.

  • The measurements were inaccurately recorded
  • His statement about the event was inaccurately described
erroneously

Typically used in formal contexts to describe errors in judgment or factual mistakes.

  • The data was erroneously interpreted
  • He was erroneously convicted of the crime
improperly

Used in both formal and informal settings to highlight incorrect procedures or misconduct, sometimes with a negative connotation.

  • The documents were improperly handled
  • She behaved improperly during the meeting

Examples of usage

  • He spelled my name incorrectly.
  • She answered the question incorrectly.
  • They interpreted the instructions incorrectly.
Context #2 | Adjective

not in accordance with fact; wrong

Not in accordance with fact; wrong.

Synonyms

erroneous, false, inaccurate, wrong.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
incorrectly

Used when describing a mistake or an error, typically in a general sense.

  • She answered the question incorrectly.
  • The data was entered incorrectly.
wrong

Used in everyday language to describe something that is not correct. It can also imply a moral judgment, making it more versatile.

  • Your answer is wrong.
  • It's wrong to cheat on the test.
false

Used to describe something that is not true or correct, often with a stronger connotation than 'incorrectly'. Can also imply intentional deception.

  • The witness gave false information.
  • The rumor turned out to be false.
erroneous

Used in more formal or academic contexts to describe something that is based on errors or mistakes.

  • The study was criticized for its erroneous conclusions.
  • The report included several erroneous assumptions.
inaccurate

Used to describe something that is not precise or exact, often used in contexts involving measurements, data, or descriptions.

  • The map was inaccurate and led us the wrong way.
  • The article contained some inaccurate details.

Examples of usage

  • an incorrect answer
  • an incorrect assumption
  • an incorrect statement

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Making mistakes can be a valuable part of learning, as it helps you understand what not to do next time.
  • Cognitive dissonance can occur when someone acts incorrectly; they might feel uncomfortable if their actions don't align with their beliefs.
  • Research shows that people often remember incorrect information due to a phenomenon called 'misinformation effect'.

Education

  • In classrooms, teachers often emphasize that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and growing.
  • Assessment methods often provide feedback on incorrect answers to guide students to better understanding.
  • The growth mindset promotes viewing errors as opportunities for mastery rather than failures.

Language

  • Using incorrect grammar or spelling can lead to misunderstandings in communication.
  • In language learning, making errors is normal and essential for improving language skills.
  • Many languages have specific rules about what constitutes an incorrect form or usage.

Pop Culture

  • Mistakes and bloopers in movies and TV shows often provide comic relief and are beloved by audiences.
  • Social media culture frequently highlights people doing things incorrectly, creating viral trends and challenges.
  • Games like 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' often showcase incorrect answers to create suspense and engagement.

Origin of 'incorrectly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'incorrectus', meaning not correct or wrong.
  • It is formed by adding the prefix 'in-' to 'correct', which means right or true.
  • The term has been used in English since the late 15th century.

The word 'incorrectly' is a combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'correctly', which dates back to the 15th century. The prefix 'in-' comes from Latin, while 'correctly' comes from the Latin word 'correctus', past participle of 'corrigere' meaning 'to make straight, bring into order'. Therefore, 'incorrectly' has been used in English to indicate something done in a wrong or inaccurate way since the 17th century.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,973, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.