What does incorrectly mean?
Incorrectly means “in a way that is not correct.” It is used when a statement, action, calculation, judgment, or classification contains an error or fails to meet the required standard. For example, a newspaper may have incorrectly reported the time of an event, or a system may have incorrectly flagged an account as suspicious. The word is broadly neutral in tone, although it firmly identifies the result as wrong rather than merely unusual or debatable. It is especially useful when the nature of the mistake needs to be specified without explaining every detail: “incorrectly entered” points directly to faulty entry of information. Incorrectly is the standard adverb derived from the adjective incorrect, and it contrasts directly with correctly. The related words wrongly, erroneously, and mistakenly can overlap with it, but incorrectly is particularly appropriate when something fails to accord with an established fact, rule, procedure, or intended result.
adverbIn a way that is not correct; wrongly or erroneously.
- In a wrong or erroneous manner; not correctly.
"The report incorrectly stated that the survey had been completed."
"The software incorrectly classified several legitimate transactions as fraudulent."
"She was incorrectly quoted as saying that the proposal would be postponed."
One small prefix can turn a neutral correction into a clear verdict: in- plus correct means “not correct.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incorrectly come from?
Incorrectly was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to incorrect. Incorrect entered Middle English in the late fifteenth century through the Latin prefix in- and the word correct, which derives from Latin correctus, meaning “upright,” “proper,” or “right.” The later formation of incorrectly followed the regular English pattern in which -ly turns an adjective into an adverb, producing a direct contrast with correctly.
How incorrectly is actually used
Incorrectly is neutral in register and is common in formal, professional, and informal contexts. It usually expresses a definite error and may modify statements, actions, judgments, calculations, or classifications.
Easily confused with incorrectly
Incorrectly is an adverb describing how something is done, while incorrect is an adjective describing something as wrong.