Quick Definition
Right (adjective) — correct, true, or appropriate; also morally good or just. That is the right answer. / It is the right thing to do.
Right (noun) — a legal or moral entitlement to have or do something. You have a right to appeal the decision.
Right (adverb) — exactly, directly, or immediately; also used to indicate direction (opposite of left). She was right in front of me. / Turn right at the junction.
Etymology
Right comes from Old English riht, meaning "straight, just, proper, fitting", which derives from Proto-Germanic *rehtaz and is related to Latin rectus ("straight, correct") — the same root that gives us correct, direct, and rectangle. The core idea of a straight or unbending line evolved into the sense of moral straightness, then into correctness, and eventually into the notion of an entitlement that cannot be bent or taken away. The word has been in continuous use in English for over a thousand years, making it one of the most stable and versatile words in the language.
Example Sentences by CEFR Level
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| That is the right answer — well done! | A2 | right as adjective meaning correct |
| Turn right at the traffic lights and the school is on your left. | A2 | right as adverb of direction |
| She was right to refuse — it was clearly unfair. | B1 | right as adjective meaning morally justified |
| Every child has a right to a safe and supportive education. | B2 | right as noun meaning entitlement; pattern: a right to + noun |
| The timing was right: the conditions for reform had never been more favourable. | C1 | right as adjective meaning optimal or appropriate; formal register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| the right answer | Nobody could find the right answer to the final question. |
| the right time / moment | You need to wait for the right moment to raise the issue. |
| human rights | The organisation campaigns for human rights around the world. |
| legal right | You have a legal right to see the contract before signing. |
| exercise a right | Citizens are encouraged to exercise their right to vote. |
| right away / right now | I will deal with your complaint right away. |
| all right | Is everything all right? You look a little pale. |
| right in the middle | The new road will go right through the middle of the village. |
| do the right thing | It takes courage to do the right thing when it is unpopular. |
| civil rights | The civil rights movement transformed American society in the 1960s. |
Usage Notes
Key Points for Learners
- Multiple grammatical roles. Always consider context before choosing a meaning. In "Turn right", right is an adverb of direction. In "That is right", it is a predicate adjective meaning correct. In "You have a right", it is a noun.
- Right vs. correct. Both mean accurate or true, but correct is more formal. Use correct in academic writing and professional editing; use right in conversation and everyday writing.
- Right as an adverb of emphasis. In informal and particularly in British English, right can intensify an adjective or position: "right at the top", "right in the centre", "right at the back". This is standard and widely understood.
- Rights in the plural. When talking about entitlements in legal, political, or social contexts, the plural rights is almost always used: human rights, civil rights, workers' rights, consumer rights.
- Fixed phrases. Several common British English expressions use right as a fixed phrase: right away (immediately), right now (at this moment), all right (acceptable; also used as a greeting in informal speech), right on cue (at exactly the right moment).
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She gave me the right information's about the course.
She gave me the right information about the course. (information is uncountable and takes no apostrophe)
I have a right of appeal this decision.
I have a right to appeal this decision. (the pattern is a right to + infinitive, not a right of)
The answer is more right than yours.
The answer is more nearly correct than yours. (right meaning correct does not take a comparative form; use more accurate or more nearly correct)
Turn to right at the end of the street.
Turn right at the end of the street. (no preposition needed with directional right as an adverb)
Related Words
Related Pages
Practise This Word
Frequently Asked Questions about “right”
What does right mean in English?
Right has several meanings depending on its grammatical role. As an adjective it means correct or morally good: 'That is the right answer.' As a noun it means a legal or moral entitlement: 'You have a right to a fair trial.' As an adverb it means exactly or immediately: 'She was standing right there.' Context makes the intended meaning clear.
What is the difference between right and correct?
Right and correct both mean in accordance with the facts, but they have slightly different registers. Correct is more formal and often used in writing, academic contexts, or when checking accuracy: 'The correct answer is C.' Right is more informal and conversational: 'That's right, well done!' In most everyday situations the two words are interchangeable.
How do you use right as a noun?
As a noun, right refers to something you are legally or morally entitled to. It is often plural: 'human rights', 'voting rights', 'workers' rights'. The common pattern is 'a right to + noun or infinitive': 'You have a right to remain silent.' / 'Citizens have a right to free speech.' Avoid confusing the noun right with the direction right (turning right at the junction).
What is the difference between right and rights?
The singular right refers to a specific entitlement: 'the right to vote'. The plural rights refers to a set of entitlements, often in legal, political, or social contexts: 'human rights', 'civil rights', 'consumer rights'. In formal documents and law, the plural is far more common because entitlements are usually discussed as a group.
Can right be used as an adverb?
Yes. As an adverb, right means exactly, directly, or immediately. Examples: 'Turn right at the end of the road' (direction), 'She was right in front of me' (exactly), 'I'll be right back' (immediately). It can also be used for emphasis in informal British English: 'right at the top', 'right in the middle' — these emphatic uses are standard and widely understood.
What is the opposite of right?
The opposite depends on the sense. For the adjective meaning correct, the opposite is wrong or incorrect. For the adjective meaning morally good, the opposite is wrong, unjust, or immoral. For the noun meaning entitlement, the formal contrast is duty or obligation. For the directional adverb sense, the opposite is left.
What are common collocations with right?
Common adjective collocations include: the right answer, the right time, the right moment, the right place. Common noun collocations include: human rights, civil rights, legal right, democratic rights. Common verb collocations include: exercise a right, have a right, claim a right, uphold a right, deny a right, assert a right, protect a right.
What is the difference between right and straight?
In directional use, right means towards the right-hand side (opposite of left), while straight means in a direct line without turning. 'Go right' means turn to your right. 'Go straight' means continue forward without turning. As an adverb meaning exactly, both right and straight can sometimes be used: 'Go right ahead' / 'Go straight ahead' — both are acceptable in British English.
How is right used in British English idioms?
Right appears in many British English idioms: 'right away' (immediately), 'right now' (at this moment), 'all right' (acceptable; also used as a casual greeting), 'right on cue' (at exactly the right moment), 'serve you right' (you deserve it), 'right as rain' (perfectly well), 'bang to rights' (caught in the act, used in informal and police contexts).
How can I practise using right in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise right in different grammatical roles — adjective, noun, and adverb. The Flash Cards tool will help you distinguish the meanings quickly. Reading news articles about law, human rights, or politics is an excellent way to see the noun sense used at B2–C1 level in natural context.