right
1 of 4adjective
ˈrīt 
1
: righteous, upright
2
: being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper
right conduct
3
: conforming to facts or truth : correct
the right answer
4
: suitable, appropriate
the right man for the job
5
: straight
a right line
6
: genuine, real
7
a
: of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located
b
: located nearer to the right hand than to the left
c
: located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side
d(1)
: located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
stage right
(2)
: located on the right when facing downstream
the right bank of a river
e
: done with the right hand
a right hook to the jaw
8
: having the axis perpendicular to the base
right cone
9
: of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object
made sure the socks were right side out
10
: acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact
time proved her right
11
a
: being in good physical or mental health or order
not in his right mind
b
: being in a correct or proper state
put things right
12
: most favorable or desired : preferable
also : socially acceptable
knew all the right people
13
often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right especially in politics
rightness noun
right
2 of 4noun
1
: qualities (such as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
2
: something to which one has a just claim: such as
a
: the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
voting rights
his right to decide
b(1)
: the interest that one has in a piece of property —often used in plural
mineral rights
(2)
rights plural : the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible thing especially of a literary and artistic nature
film rights of the novel
3
: something that one may properly claim as due
knowing the truth is her right
4
: the cause of truth or justice
5
a
: right hand sense 1a
also : a blow struck with this hand
gave him a hard right on the jaw
b
: the location or direction of the right side
woods on his right
c
: the part on the right side
d
: right field
e
: a turn to the right
take a right at the stop sign
6
a
: the true account or correct interpretation
b
: the quality or state of being factually correct
7
often capitalized
a
: the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer
b
: the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members
8
a
often capitalized : individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies
b
often capitalized : a conservative position
9
a
: a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price
b
: the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege —usually used in plural
rightmost
ˈrīt-ˌmōst
adjective right
3 of 4adverb
1
: according to right
live right
2
: in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely
right at his fingertips
quit right then and there
3
: in a suitable, proper, or desired manner
knew he wasn't doing it right
4
: in a direct line, course, or manner : directly, straight
go right home
came right out and said it
5
: according to fact or truth : truly
guessed right
6
a
: all the way
windows right to the floor
b
: in a complete manner
felt right at home
7
: without delay : immediately
right after lunch
8
: to a great degree : very
a right pleasant day
9
: on or to the right
looked left and right
right
4 of 4verb
righted; righting; rights
transitive verb
1
a
: to do justice to : redress the injuries of
so just is God to right the innocent
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare b
: justify, vindicate
felt the need to right himself in court
2
: avenge
vows to right the injustice done to his family
3
a
: to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition
right the economy
b
: to bring or restore to an upright position
right a capsized boat
intransitive verb
: to become upright
righter noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- accurate
- authentic
- exact
- faithful
- precise
- strict
- true
- veracious
Noun
- appanage
- apanage
- birthright
- prerogative
Adverb
- due
- exactly
- full
- just
- precisely
- sharp
- smack-dab
- squarely
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective You can't treat me like this! It's not right! You were right to tell the teacher about the girl who you saw cheating. Telling the teacher was the right thing to do. “Is that clock right? Is it noon already?” “Yes. That's right.” There's something not quite right about his story. Their theory was proved right. Let me get this right—you want me to lend you $1,000?! You're right; the answer is six. I bet you like baseball. Am I right? Am I right in thinking that he should have never loaned her the money? Noun We discussed the rights and wrongs of genetic cloning. women fighting for equal rights Knowing the truth is her right. Adverb The keys are right where I said they would be. “Where are my keys?” “They're right here.” The bank is right next to the pharmacy. The parking lot is right in front of the building. He left his bags right in the middle of the floor. She was waiting right outside the door. The ball hit me right in the face. We arrived right at noon. You are right on time. When the boss yelled at him, he quit right then and there. Verb It was time to right an old wrong. No one can right all the wrongs in the world. The government needs to do something to right the economy. They righted the capsized boat. He quickly righted himself after he fell off the chair. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022 Keynes was right that the economic problem ought by now to be solved, or within sight of being solved. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 What to know: After getting steamrolled by defending champion Georgia, the Ducks look to get right in this home opener. USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 The author is right that new businesses need capital, and for him that means getting venture funds to invest in places other than the coasts. Allison Schrager, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 In exchange, Viserys agrees to remove the ambitious Ser Otto Hightower as Hand of the King, finally realizing that Rhaenyra is right in claiming that Otto aims to replace her with her half-brother Aegon as heir to the Iron Throne. Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2022 The Flames recovered at the 26-yard line of UAB but a 37-yard field goal was wide right to keep the game scoreless. Evan Dudley, al, 10 Sep. 2022 Lex Wilson, 19, who lives outside Newcastle and listens to the radio at work, says the tone doesn’t feel quite right. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s a big skirmish with Annette (who is right about the unsafe-ness of motorcycles!), and Mia freaks out, leading Annette and Mark to fight. Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2022 Eric Tucker, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2022 The Justice Department has said Trump had no right to hold onto the presidential documents. Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 If the batter hits a sacrifice fly or has a sacrifice bunt, the team will have the right to accept the play or have a ball called. Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 All the major broadcasters have the right to stream certain games. Joe Flint, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The case asked whether Tarantino, who wrote and owns the copyright to the screenplay for Pulp Fiction, has the right to publish portions of the work through the sale of NFTs. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 California, alone among all 50 US states, has the right to set its own auto emissions regulations. Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 The beit din then has the right to demand the get be given. Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 The motion to dismiss, filed in July, argues judges have sovereign immunity from being sued, defendants have no constitutional right to a lawyer at that point in the proceedings and the plaintiffs have failed to state a valid claim. Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2022 Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2022 PETA India also submitted a veterinary inspection report to Indian officials, pointing out that Jeymalyatha’s current handler used pliers on her skin right in front of inspectors. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2022 Spend too much time scrutinizing text or images right in front of you, the logic goes, and your eyes become nearsighted. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 Just outright say it without any hesitation right in front of a student. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2022 The good inspector is doomed to walk a Dantean circle, right in the center of the capital of collaboration. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 Several of them are free to play and easy to download and jump right in! Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 12 Sep. 2022 Yuri is the newest addition to Gbajabiamila's family, which includes his wife and four children, and has fit right in. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Most notably, there was a more intimate than usual pre-pandemic-like atmosphere in the Microsoft Theater, with a closer stage-to-audience relationship, the stage mixed right in with a ballroom setup. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2022 Ginger Fairchild, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022 Auburn would right the ship immediately this time, however, winning its next five games and nine of its next 10 (a 3-point loss at LSU being the only blemish) before falling to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl to finish 9-3. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Civale, given the extra room to work, still couldn’t right himself. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 11 Apr. 2022 More than likely, most of those team members will start next year in their same spots with a second-year Kyle Kirkwood in search of a way to right the ship on a consistent basis and bring the No. 27 back to its title-contending glory. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 The Biden administration should be applauded for working to right this grave wrong. WSJ, 5 July 2022 The commission’s three proposed names that honor women are a chance to right that wrong and acknowledge the contributions of female service members, past and present. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 May 2022 From an early age and right up into the higher echelons of academia, education is equated with a sense of rite of passage. Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 23 May 2022 As the Cincinnati Reds started to right the ship over the last week and won six out of their last eight games entering Saturday night, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was the Reds’ best player. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 15 May 2022 See More
Adjective
Musk, the world’s richest person, is probably right in giving investors some hope regarding easing commodity prices. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022 Keynes was right that the economic problem ought by now to be solved, or within sight of being solved. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2022 What to know: After getting steamrolled by defending champion Georgia, the Ducks look to get right in this home opener. USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 The author is right that new businesses need capital, and for him that means getting venture funds to invest in places other than the coasts. Allison Schrager, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 In exchange, Viserys agrees to remove the ambitious Ser Otto Hightower as Hand of the King, finally realizing that Rhaenyra is right in claiming that Otto aims to replace her with her half-brother Aegon as heir to the Iron Throne. Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2022 The Flames recovered at the 26-yard line of UAB but a 37-yard field goal was wide right to keep the game scoreless. Evan Dudley, al, 10 Sep. 2022 Lex Wilson, 19, who lives outside Newcastle and listens to the radio at work, says the tone doesn’t feel quite right. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2022 There’s a big skirmish with Annette (who is right about the unsafe-ness of motorcycles!), and Mia freaks out, leading Annette and Mark to fight. Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2022 Noun
The Justice Department has said Trump had no right to hold onto the presidential documents. Eric Tucker, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2022 The Justice Department has said Trump had no right to hold onto the presidential documents. Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 If the batter hits a sacrifice fly or has a sacrifice bunt, the team will have the right to accept the play or have a ball called. Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 All the major broadcasters have the right to stream certain games. Joe Flint, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 The case asked whether Tarantino, who wrote and owns the copyright to the screenplay for Pulp Fiction, has the right to publish portions of the work through the sale of NFTs. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 California, alone among all 50 US states, has the right to set its own auto emissions regulations. Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 The beit din then has the right to demand the get be given. Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2022 The motion to dismiss, filed in July, argues judges have sovereign immunity from being sued, defendants have no constitutional right to a lawyer at that point in the proceedings and the plaintiffs have failed to state a valid claim. Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2022 Adverb
If you've ever been intimidated by making a crème brûlée from scratch, here's how to make the silky-smooth custard and feel like a fancy French chef right in your home. Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2022 PETA India also submitted a veterinary inspection report to Indian officials, pointing out that Jeymalyatha’s current handler used pliers on her skin right in front of inspectors. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2022 Spend too much time scrutinizing text or images right in front of you, the logic goes, and your eyes become nearsighted. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2022 Just outright say it without any hesitation right in front of a student. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2022 The good inspector is doomed to walk a Dantean circle, right in the center of the capital of collaboration. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 Several of them are free to play and easy to download and jump right in! Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 12 Sep. 2022 Yuri is the newest addition to Gbajabiamila's family, which includes his wife and four children, and has fit right in. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Most notably, there was a more intimate than usual pre-pandemic-like atmosphere in the Microsoft Theater, with a closer stage-to-audience relationship, the stage mixed right in with a ballroom setup. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2022 Verb
Congress has an ethical and moral duty to right this injustice – especially for terminally ill veterans who risked their lives to defend our country and deserve a peaceful death – by repealing the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act. Ginger Fairchild, CNN, 3 Sep. 2022 Auburn would right the ship immediately this time, however, winning its next five games and nine of its next 10 (a 3-point loss at LSU being the only blemish) before falling to Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl to finish 9-3. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 Civale, given the extra room to work, still couldn’t right himself. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 11 Apr. 2022 More than likely, most of those team members will start next year in their same spots with a second-year Kyle Kirkwood in search of a way to right the ship on a consistent basis and bring the No. 27 back to its title-contending glory. Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 30 July 2022 The Biden administration should be applauded for working to right this grave wrong. WSJ, 5 July 2022 The commission’s three proposed names that honor women are a chance to right that wrong and acknowledge the contributions of female service members, past and present. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 May 2022 From an early age and right up into the higher echelons of academia, education is equated with a sense of rite of passage. Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 23 May 2022 As the Cincinnati Reds started to right the ship over the last week and won six out of their last eight games entering Saturday night, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson was the Reds’ best player. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 15 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English riht; akin to Old High German reht right, Latin rectus straight, right, regere to lead straight, direct, rule, rogare to ask, Greek oregein to stretch out
Noun
Middle English, from Old English riht, from riht, adjective
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing right
Kids Definition
right 1 of 4
adjective
ˈrīt
1
: following or in accordance with what is just, good, or proper
It's not right to lie.
2
: accurate, correct
That's the right answer.
3
: suitable, appropriate
He's the right person for the job.
4
: located on the side of the body away from the heart
the right arm
5
: located nearer to the right side of the body than to the left
the chair's right arm
6
: being or meant to be the side on top, in front, or on the outside
The box landed right side up.
Turn the socks right side out.
7
: in a normal or healthy state or condition
I don't feel right today.
That milk doesn't smell right.
8
: straight entry 1 sense 1
a right line
right
2 of 4noun
1
: the ideal of what is just, good, or proper
He hasn't learned right from wrong.
2
: something to which a person has a just claim
the right to vote
He has a right to be angry.
3
: the cause of truth or justice
They fought for right.
4
: the right side : a part or location that is on or toward the right side
My house is on the right.
right
3 of 4adverb
1
: according to what is just, good, or proper
She lives right.
2
: in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely
It's right where you left it.
3
: in a direct line or course : straight
Come right home.
4
: according to truth or fact
You guessed right.
5
: in a suitable, proper, or desired way
You're not doing it right.
6
: all the way
We stayed right to the end of the game.
7
: without delay : immediately
Let's go right after lunch.
8
: on or to the right
turn right
9
: in a complete way
He felt right at home here.
right
4 of 4verb
righted; righting
1
: to make better or more just
If only we could right the world's wrongs.
2
: to adjust or restore to a proper state or condition
3
: to bring or bring back to an upright position
I righted the books.
4
: to become upright
The ship slowly righted again.
Medical Definition
right
adjective
ˈrīt
: of, relating to, or being the side of the body which is away from the heart and on which the hand is stronger in most people
her right foot
also : located nearer to this side than to the left
Legal Definition
right
noun
ˈrīt
1
a
: qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
b
: something that is morally just
able to distinguish right from wrong
2
: something to which one has a just claim: as
a
: a power, privilege, or condition of existence to which one has a natural claim of enjoyment or possession
the right of liberty
that all men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights Declaration of Independence
see also natural right Declaration of Independence b
: a power, privilege, immunity, or capacity the enjoyment of which is secured to a person by law
one's constitutional rights
c
: a legally enforceable claim against another that the other will do or will not do a given act
the defendant may be under a legal duty…to exercise reasonable care for the plaintiff's safety, so that the plaintiff has a corresponding legal right to insist on that care W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton
W. L. Prosser and W. P. Keeton d
: the interest that one has in property : a claim or title to property —often used in pl.
leasing mineral rights
see also real right e
plural : the interest in property possessed (as under copyright law) in an intangible thing and especially an item of intellectual property
obtained publishing rights
3
: a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price
rights 1 of 2
noun
1
as in privileges
something to which one has a just claim everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- privileges
- prerogatives
- birthrights
- entitlements
- appanages
- dues
- apanages
- pretensions
- perquisites
- dibs
- calls
- pretenses
- pretences
2
as in claims
an entitlement to something what right do you have to tell us what to do? Synonyms & Similar Words
- claims
- privileges
- titles
- pretensions
- calls
- prerogatives
- pretenses
- dibs
- refusals
- birthrights
- pretences
- favors
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- waivers
- releases
- disclaimers
- quitclaims
rights
2 of 2verb
as in betters
Synonyms & Similar Words
- betters
- remedies
- redresses
- improves
- blue-pencils
- reforms
- rewrites
- shortens
- ameliorates
- redrafts
- reworks
- polishes
- cuts
- changes
- repairs
- perfects
- redraws
- restyles
- revises
- amends
- emends
- touches up
- corrects
- debugs
- rectifies
- red-pencils
- regulates
- alters
- adjusts
- modulates
- modifies
- fixes
- mends
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- damages
- harms
- hurts
- impairs
- injures
- spoils
- mars
- aggravates
- worsens
- potential gradient
- potential head
- potential hole
- potential temperature
- potential well
- potential winding
- potentialities
- potentiality
- potentialize
- potentially
- potentialness
- potentials
- potentiate
- potentiated
- potentiates
- potentiating
- potentiation
- potentiations
- potentiator
- potentiators
- potentilla
- potentillae
- potentillas
- potentiometer
- potentiometers