What does aright mean?
"Aright" is an adverb meaning correctly or rightly — doing or perceiving something in the proper way. It is formed from the Middle English prefix "a-" combined with "right," making it a close cousin of words like "aboard" and "ashore" in construction. Though once common across English writing, appearing frequently in Shakespeare and the King James Bible, it has retreated in modern usage into formal and literary registers, surviving most visibly in the phrase "if I remember aright." It carries no negative connotation; rather, it lends a slightly old-fashioned, considered tone to a sentence. Writers use it when they want to emphasize correctness of judgment, memory, or perception without the plainness of "correctly." Because it sounds identical to "a right" and resembles "alright," it is occasionally misread, but its meaning is distinct: to do something aright is to do it properly, justly, or accurately.
adverbCorrectly or rightly; in the proper or accurate manner.
- In a correct or proper manner; rightly.
- (Archaic/literary) Justly or fairly.
"If I remember aright, the meeting was moved to Thursday."
"She finally understood the poem once someone explained it and she could read it aright."
"If I remember aright, the treaty was signed in the spring of that year."
Shakespeare used "aright" constantly — and it survives today mostly in one phrase: "if I remember aright."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aright
"Aright" derives from Middle English, combining the prefix "a-" (from Old English "on") with "right," which comes from Old English "riht," meaning correct or just. The same Germanic root gave rise to "righteous," "upright," and "rightful." The word has been in continuous use since the medieval period and was especially common in Early Modern English literature.
How aright is actually used
"Aright" is somewhat formal or literary in modern usage and appears most often in set phrases such as "if I remember aright." It is never spelled with a hyphen and should not be confused with "alright."
Easily confused with aright
"Aright" is an adverb meaning correctly, while "alright" is a variant spelling of "all right" meaning satisfactory or acceptable.