Meaning & use
right
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Correct, or true according to the facts.
Grammar: After be or a verb like get: you are right; he got the answer right.
Patterns
- be right about something
- get something right
You were right about the weather.
Is this the right address?
She got every question right.
adjectivecomparable
Morally good, fair or proper.
Grammar: Often follows be with to: it is right to help.
Patterns
- it is right to do something
It is right to tell the truth.
He did the right thing by apologizing.
adjectivebefore a noun
On the side of the body opposite the left, usually the side of the stronger hand for most people.
Grammar: Used before a noun: the right hand.
Turn at the next right turn.
She injured her right arm.
nouncountable
A moral or legal claim to something, or to do something.
Grammar: Often followed by to: a right to vote.
Patterns
- a right to something
- the right to do something
Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
Workers fought for their rights.
adverbnot comparable
Exactly or immediately, used to give emphasis.
Grammar: Placed before a preposition or adverb: right now, right here.
Patterns
- right now
- right away
I'll be there right now.
The store is right around the corner.
Word forms
| comparative | more right |
|---|---|
| plural | rights |
Common combinations
- right answer
- He gave the right answer.
- human rights
- The group defends human rights.
- right away
- Call me right away.
- the right to vote
- Women won the right to vote.
- all right
- Are you all right?
Synonyms and how they differ
- correct
- More formal; used for answers and facts.
- proper
- Suggests fitting accepted standards of behavior.
- entitlement
- Means a claim to a benefit, more narrow than rights.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: right or write? right or rite?
right vs write
Write is to put words on paper; right sounds the same.
right vs rite
A rite is a ceremony; same sound as right.
Practice
Everyone has the ___ to a fair trial.
Choose one answer.
A right is a legal or moral entitlement. Rite and write sound the same but have different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “right”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.