Incorrectly
/ˌɪnkəˈrɛktli/
Definitions
In a wrong or inaccurate manner; not correctly.
/ˌɪnkəˈrɛktli/
In a way that is not correct or accurate.
The instructions were followed incorrectly, causing the machine to malfunction.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building with LEGOs and you put a piece on the wrong place. Doing something 'incorrectly' is like that – not right!
👶 For kids: When you do something the WRONG way!
More Examples
The address was written incorrectly on the envelope, so the package was returned.
He estimated the cost incorrectly, and the project went over budget.
She pronounced the foreign word incorrectly, making it difficult to understand.
How It's Used
"The data was entered incorrectly, leading to errors in the report."
"The program interpreted the command incorrectly."
From 'incorrect' + '-ly'. 'Incorrect' derives from the Latin 'in-' (not) + 'correctus' (corrected).
Appeared in the late 17th century. Early uses emphasized moral or factual wrongness.
Memory tip
Think of 'in' (not) + 'correctly' (in a correct way).
Practice
Word Origin
Root: in- (not) + correctus (corrected)