Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not correct or true; mistaken or in error: Describes something that is not in accordance with fact, truth, or a standard.
   • Not morally right or just; unjust, dishonest, or evil: Describes actions, principles, or situations that are contrary to ethics, conscience, or law.
   • Not suitable, appropriate, or desirable: Describes something that is unsuitable for a particular purpose, occasion, or person.
   • Not in a proper, normal, or working condition: Describes a state of malfunction or disorder.
   • Of a side of material: The side that is not meant to be seen; the inside or reverse side.

2. Adverb:

   • In a mistaken or incorrect manner: In a way that is not correct or accurate.
   • In an unsuitable or undesirable manner or direction: In a way that leads to an unfortunate outcome.

3. Noun:

   • An unjust, dishonest, or immoral action: A violation of justice, law, or morality.
   • The state of being mistaken or at fault: The condition of being in error or responsible for an injustice.

4. Verb:

   • To treat unjustly or harm: To do an injustice to someone; to harm someone unfairly.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • Your answer is wrong. (Your answer is not correct.)
  • Stealing is wrong. (Stealing is morally incorrect.)
  • He said the wrong thing at the meeting. (He said something unsuitable.)
  • There's something wrong with my computer. (My computer is not working properly.)
  • She was sewing on the wrong side of the fabric. (She was sewing on the side not meant to be seen.)

• Adverb:

  • I guessed wrong. (I guessed incorrectly.)
  • The project started wrong from the beginning. (The project started in an incorrect or unfortunate way.)

• Noun:

  • He admitted his wrong and apologized. (He admitted his unjust action and apologized.)
  • She knows the difference between right and wrong. (She understands ethical principles.)
  • The court will right the wrong. (The court will correct the injustice.)

• Verb:

  • You have wronged me with your accusations. (You have treated me unjustly with your accusations.)

Advanced Usage

• In the wrong: To be mistaken or responsible for an error or injustice.

  • During the argument, it was clear he was in the wrong. (It was clear he was mistaken/at fault.)

• Get (someone/something) wrong: To misunderstand someone or something.

  • Please don't get me wrong; I appreciate your help. (Please don't misunderstand me.)

• Go wrong: To make a mistake; to stop functioning properly; to develop badly.

  • Their plan went wrong. (Their plan failed or developed badly.)
  • My car went wrong on the highway. (My car broke down on the highway.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wrongful (adj): Unjust or illegal.
  • He filed a lawsuit for wrongful dismissal.
• Wrongly (adv): In a wrong or mistaken way.
  • He was wrongly accused of the crime.
• Wrongdoer (n): A person who does wrong, especially morally or legally.
  • The wrongdoer must be held accountable.
• Wrongdoing (n): Illegal or dishonest behavior.
  • The committee investigated allegations of wrongdoing.

Synonyms

• Adjective (incorrect): Incorrect, inaccurate, false, mistaken.
• Adjective (immoral): Unjust, unethical, evil, bad, sinful.
• Noun (injustice): Injustice, injury, harm, misdeed.
• Verb: Mistreat, harm, injure, abuse.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wrong-foot (someone): To catch someone off balance; to put someone at a disadvantage.
  • The sudden question wrong-footed the politician. (The sudden question caught the politician unprepared.)

Related Idioms

• Bark up the wrong tree: To have a mistaken idea or approach; to pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought.
  • If you think I took your book, you're barking up the wrong tree. (You are mistaken if you think I took it.)
• On the wrong side of the law: Involved in illegal activities.
  • He's spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law.
• Two wrongs don't make a right: A wrongful action is not justified by another wrongful action.
  • Just because he insulted you doesn't mean you should insult him back. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Adjective

1. characterized by errors; not agreeing with a model or not following established rules; the wrong side of the road"
   • he submitted a faulty report
   • an incorrect transcription
2. badly timed
   • an ill-timed intervention
   • you think my intrusion unseasonable
   • an untimely remark
   • it was the wrong moment for a joke
3. used of the side of cloth or clothing intended to face inward
   • socks worn wrong side out
4. not in accord with established usage or procedure
   • the wrong medicine
   • the wrong way to shuck clams
   • it is incorrect for a policeman to accept gifts
5. based on or acting or judging in error
   • it is wrong to think that way
6. not functioning properly
   • something is amiss
   • has gone completely haywire
   • something is wrong with the engine
7. not appropriate for a purpose or occasion
   • said all the wrong things
8. contrary to conscience or morality or law
   • it is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor
   • cheating is wrong
   • it is wrong to lie
9. not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
   • an incorrect calculation
   • the report in the paper is wrong
   • your information is wrong
   • the clock showed the wrong time
   • found themselves on the wrong road
   • based on the wrong assumptions

Adverb

1. in an inaccurate manner
   • he decided to reveal the details only after other sources had reported them incorrectly
   • she guessed wrong

Noun

1. any harm or injury resulting from a violation of a legal right
2. that which is contrary to the principles of justice or law
   • he feels that you are in the wrong

Verb

1. treat unjustly; do wrong to