English Meaning & Definitions
To correct, amend, or set right an error, fault, or inaccuracy.
- “The company issued a formal apology to rectify a mistake in their billing department.”
- “It is never too late to rectify a mistake if you are willing to take responsibility.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “rectify a mistake”.
The word 'rectify' derives from the Middle French 'rectifier', which comes from the Late Latin 'rectificare', formed from 'rectus' (straight/right) and 'facere' (to make). Thus, to rectify is literally to 'make straight'. 'Mistake' originates from the Old Norse 'mistaka' (to take wrongly). Together, the phrase implies the act of straightening out an error.
Think of 'rectify' as 're-correct-ify': you are correcting something again to make it right.
Frequently Asked Questions About “rectify a mistake”
1. What is the meaning of “rectify a mistake” in English?
In English, rectify a mistake (idiom) is defined as: “To correct, amend, or set right an error, fault, or inaccuracy.”.
2. How do you use “rectify a mistake” in a sentence?
“The company issued a formal apology to rectify a mistake in their billing department.”
3. What are English synonyms of “rectify a mistake”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “rectify a mistake”?
The word 'rectify' derives from the Middle French 'rectifier', which comes from the Late Latin 'rectificare', formed from 'rectus' (straight/right) and 'facere' (to make). Thus, to rectify is literally to 'make straight'. 'Mistake' originates from the Old Norse 'mistaka' (to take wrongly). Together, the phrase implies the act of straightening out an error.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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