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right definition

right (rīt)

adjective

  1. Obsolete not curved; straight: now only in mathematics a right line
    1. formed by, or with reference to, a straight line or plane perpendicular to a base a right angle
    2. having the axis perpendicular to the base a right cylinder
  2. in accordance with justice, law, morality, etc.; upright; virtuous right conduct
    1. in accordance with fact, reason, some set standard, etc.; correct; true the right answer
    2. correct in thought, statement, or action to be right in one's answer
    1. fitting; appropriate; suitable
    2. most convenient or favorable
    3. reputable; approved she associates with the right people
  3. designating the side, surface, etc. meant to be seen; designating the finished, principal, or upper side or surface the right side of cloth
    1. sound; normal in one's right mind
    2. mentally sound or normal; sane not quite right
  4. having sound health or good spirits
  5. in a satisfactory condition, or in good order to make things right again
    1. designating or of that side of one's body which is toward the east when one faces north, the side of the more-used hand in most people
    2. designating or of the corresponding side of anything
    3. closer to the right side of a person directly before and facing the thing mentioned or understood the top right drawer of a desk
  6. of the side or bank of a river on the right of a person facing downstream
  7. of the political right; conservative or reactionary
  8. Archaic not spurious or sham; genuine; real

Etymology: ME < OE riht, straight, direct, right, akin to Ger recht < IE base *reĝ-, straight, stretch out, put in order > rich, reckon, L regere, to rule, rex, king, regula, a rule

noun

  1. what is right, or just, lawful, morally good, proper, correct, etc.
    1. that which a person has a just claim to; power, privilege, etc. that belongs to a person by law, nature, or tradition the right of free speech
    2. an interest in property, real or intangible
  2. the true or correct report, as of a happening: with the
    1. all or part of the right side
    2. what is on the right side
    3. a direction or location on the right side: often with the
    4. a turn toward the right side take a right at the fork
  3. Baseball right field
  4. Boxing
    1. the right hand
    2. a blow delivered with the right hand
  5. Finance
    1. the privilege given to a company's stockholders of buying shares in a new issue of stock, usually at a price below the current market price
    2. the negotiable certificate indicating this privilege
  6. Politics a conservative or reactionary position, esp. one varying from moderate capitalism to fascism, or a party or group advocating this: often with the: from the position of the seats occupied in some European legislatures

adverb

  1. in a straight line; straight; directly go right home
    1. properly; fittingly
    2. favorably, conveniently, or well
  2. completely; thoroughly soaked right through his coat
  3. exactly; precisely right here, right now
  4. ☆ without pause or delay; immediately come right down
  5. according to law, justice, etc.; in an upright way
  6. correctly or accurately
  7. on or toward the right hand or side
  8. very; extremely [to know something right well]: informal except in certain titles the right honorable, the right reverend

Etymology: ME < OE rihte

interjection

agreed; OK; I understand

transitive verb

  1. to put in or restore to an upright or proper position to right a capsized boat
  2. to correct; make conform with fact, etc.
  3. to put in order; set right to right a room
  4. to do justice to (a person); make amends to
  5. to make amends for (a wrong, etc.); redress or avenge

intransitive verb

to get into or resume an upright or proper position
right Idioms

by right

or by rights
in justice; properly

in one's own right

through one's own authority, ability, etc.; without dependence on another or others

in the right

on the side supported by truth, justice, etc.

right away

or right off
without delay or pause; at once

right on!

Slang precisely!exactly!that's right!: an exclamation of approval or encouragement

to rights

Informal in or into good or proper condition or order

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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