What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Correct vs Mistake - What's the difference?

correct | mistake |

In transitive terms the difference between correct and mistake

is that correct is to inform (someone) of the latter's error while mistake is to understand wrongly, taking one thing for another, or someone for someone else.

As an adjective correct

is free from error; true; the state of having an affirmed truth.

As a noun mistake is

an error; a blunder.

correct

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Free from error; true; the state of having an affirmed truth.
  • With good manners; well behaved; conforming with accepted standards of behaviour.
  • Synonyms

    * (with good manners) well-mannered, well behaved

    Antonyms

    * (without error) incorrect, inaccurate * (with good manners) uncouth

    Derived terms

    * anatomically correct * correctly * hypercorrect * incorrect

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make something that was not valid become right. To remove error.
  • He corrected the position of the book on the mantle.
  • (by extension) To grade (examination papers).
  • To inform (someone) of the latter's error.
  • It's rude to correct your parents.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * correctable * correction * uncorrectable

    mistake

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An error; a blunder.
  • * 1877 , Henry Heth, quoting , in "Causes of the Defeat of Gen. Lee's Army at the Battle of GettysburgOpinions of Leading Confederate Soldiers.", Southern Historical Society Papers (1877), editor Rev. J. WM. Jones [http://books.google.com/books?id=iDIFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA292&dq=lee+%22mistakes+were+made%22&hl=en&ei=fchaTbu4L8L98AaVs4n-DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=lee%20%22mistakes%20were%20made%22&f=false]
  • After it is all over, as stupid a fellow as I am can see that mistakes' were made. I notice, however, that my ' mistakes are never told me until it is too late.
  • (baseball) A pitch which was intended to be pitched in a hard to hit location, but instead ends up in an easy to hit place
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Usage notes

    * Usually make a mistake. See

    Verb

  • To understand wrongly, taking one thing for another, or someone for someone else.
  • Sorry, I mistook you for my brother. You look very similar.
  • * Shakespeare
  • My father's purposes have been mistook .
  • * Johnson
  • A man may mistake the love of virtue for the practice of it.
  • To commit an unintentional error; to do or think something wrong.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • Servants mistake , and sometimes occasion misunderstanding among friends.
  • (obsolete, rare) To take or choose wrongly.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Derived terms

    * mistakeless