rectify

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈrektɪfaɪ/
• American: REK-tuh-fye

Origin

From Latin "rectus" (straight, right) + "-ficare" (to make), meaning "to make right"

Meanings

1. To correct or make right; to fix something that is wrong
2. To adjust or set straight
3. (Chemistry) To purify or refine a substance through distillation
4. (Electronics) To convert alternating current to direct current

Example Sentences

1. "We need to rectify this error in the financial report before submitting it."
2. "The company took immediate steps to rectify the situation after customer complaints."
3. "The mechanic was able to rectify the steering problem in my car."
4. "Engineers use diodes to rectify electrical current."

Related Words

• Forms:

  • rectified (past tense)
  • rectifying (present participle)
  • rectification (noun)
  • rectifier (noun)

• Synonyms:

  • correct
  • amend
  • fix
  • adjust
  • remedy
  • resolve

Memory Tricks

1. Break it down: "rect" (right) + "ify" (to make) = "to make right"
2. Think of "RECT" as "RIGHT" - when you rectify something, you make it RIGHT
3. Associate with rectangle - just as a rectangle has straight, correct angles, to rectify means to make something correct