wrong
wrong
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "wrong" is: /rɔŋ/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
wr: /r/ (This represents a voiced, alveolar approximant. The 'w' is silent in this word).
ong: /ɔŋ/ (This represents a close-mid back rounded vowel followed by a velar nasal consonant.)
Word Form Variations
"Wrong" primarily functions as an adjective or an adverb. It doesn't have typical noun or verb inflections like singular/plural. However, we can look at related forms and how it's used:
wrong (adjective): This is the base form. It describes something incorrect or incorrect. Examples: "That answer is wrong." "You're wrong about that." It doesn't change form for singular or plural nouns it modifies. "The wrong answers were circled."
wrong (adverb): It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating something is done incorrectly. Example: "You did that wrong."
wrongly (adverb): This is another adverbial form, often used interchangeably with "wrong," but sometimes carrying a slightly stronger sense of error or impropriety. Example: "He was wrongly accused."
wrongness (noun): This is the noun form, referring to the state or quality of being wrong. Example: "The wrongness of his actions was clear."
There aren't plural forms of "wrong" itself in the way we think of nouns. You wouldn't say "wrongs" in the same way you'd say "cats." However, "wrongs" can be used as a noun, meaning bad or harmful acts. Example: "He committed many wrongs." In this case, it's a count noun.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective:
Definition: Not correct or true; incorrect; erroneous. Deviating from what is right, proper, or moral; unjust; immoral.
Synonyms: Incorrect, mistaken, inaccurate, erroneous, untrue, false, amiss, faulty, flawed, improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, immoral, unethical, unjust, wicked.
Antonyms: Correct, right, accurate, true, valid, proper, appropriate, suitable, moral, ethical, just, righteous.
Example: "That's the wrong answer." "It's wrong to steal."
Adverb:
Definition: In a way that is not correct or proper; incorrectly; amiss.
Synonyms: Incorrectly, wrongly, erroneously, inaccurately, improperly, inappropriately, unsuitably.
Antonyms: Correctly, rightly, accurately, properly, appropriately, suitably.
Example: "You did it wrong."
Noun:
Definition (count noun): A morally wrong or unjust act; an injury.
Synonyms: Offense, transgression, sin, crime, misdeed, injustice, grievance, injury, harm.
Antonyms: Right, good deed, just act.
Example: "He has committed many wrongs."
Definition (uncountable noun): The state or quality of being wrong; incorrectness; immorality.
Synonyms: Incorrectness, error, inaccuracy, faultiness, impropriety, immorality, injustice, wickedness.
Antonyms: Correctness, rightness, accuracy, propriety, morality, justice, righteousness.
Example: "He acknowledged the wrongness of his actions."
Verb (less common, often archaic):
Definition: To treat unjustly; to do wrong to. (This usage is less frequent in modern English).
Synonyms: Mistreat, abuse, injure, harm, oppress.
Antonyms: Treat fairly, be just to, help.
Example: "He felt he had been wronged by the system." (Note: In this example, "wronged" is a past participle used adjectivally, but it derives from this verb form.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Two wrongs don't make a right." (Proverb, often found in various forms in literature and self-help books. No single origin.) This expresses a moral principle.
"He knew he was wrong, but he couldn't admit it." (Fictional example - this type of sentence structure is extremely common in novels of all genres.) This showcases a character's internal conflict.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The company admitted it was wrong to mislead customers." (News article - you'll find similar phrases in business and consumer reporting.) This refers to corporate accountability.
"Experts warn that relying on outdated data can lead to wrong conclusions." (Scientific or analytical article. This highlights the importance of accuracy.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"You're wrong about that!" (Dialogue from a movie or TV show. This is a very common expression of disagreement.)
"I was wrong, I messed up." (Song lyric. This expresses remorse or taking responsibility.)
"He was wrongfully convicted." (True crime podcast or documentary. This highlights injustice.)
General Public Discourse:
"It's wrong to bully others." (Everyday conversation, social media posts, public service announcements. This expresses a moral stance.)
"Something feels wrong about this situation." (Everyday conversation. This expresses a sense of unease or suspicion.)
"I think you're wrong about the election." (Political discussion, online forums, news comments sections. This is a common expression of disagreement in political contexts.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Wrong
"Two wrongs don’t make a right." — Ancient Proverb (popularized in English by Benjamin Rush, 1783)
"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult — and we are wrong to think otherwise." — Seneca
"When I am right, I get angry. Churchill gets angry when he is wrong. We are angry at each other much of the time." — Charles de Gaulle
"Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less — and prove wrong the darkness." — Marie Curie (paraphrased from writings)
"To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men. It is wrong to be neutral in the face of injustice." — Ella Wheeler Wilcox
"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong." — Voltaire
"Experience teaches you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. That doesn’t make it less wrong." — Franklin P. Jones
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. Silence never makes wrong right." — Desmond Tutu
"Right is right, even if everyone is against it; wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." — William Penn
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect — you may be on the wrong side." — Mark Twain
Etymology
"Wrong" comes from Old Norse wrangr, which meant "crooked," "twisted," or "uneven." Think of something bent out of shape or not aligned correctly. This idea of crookedness or deviation from a straight line is key to understanding the word's development.
The first recorded use of "wrong" in English was around the year 1300. At that time, it still largely carried the sense of "crooked" or "distorted," not just physically, but also morally. So, something could be "wrong" in its physical form (like a twisted branch) or in its actions (like a dishonest deed).
Over time, the physical meaning faded, and the moral sense became dominant. The idea of "crookedness" evolved to mean "not in accordance with what is right or correct." So, by the 14th and 15th centuries, "wrong" was primarily used to describe errors, mistakes, and immoral actions, much as we use it today.
So, in short, "wrong" started with a physical meaning of "bent" or "twisted," then broadened to include anything that deviated from a standard, whether physically or morally. The moral meaning eventually took over, leaving us with the word we know today, primarily associated with incorrectness and immorality.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Wrong
Phrases and Idioms using "wrong":
Wrong side of the bed: To be in a bad mood. (This is fairly common.)
Get the wrong end of the stick: To misunderstand something completely. (Quite common in British English.)
Do someone wrong: To treat someone unfairly or unjustly. (Common.)
Wrong number: A phone call to the incorrect number. (Common, but literal.)
Wrong place, wrong time: To be present where something bad happens, through no fault of one's own. (Common.)
In the wrong: To be at fault. (Common.)
On the wrong track: Pursuing a mistaken course of action. (Common.)
To go wrong: To make a mistake or to turn out badly. (Common.)
Why "wrong" might be less common in idioms:
"Wrong" is already fairly direct. Idioms often use figurative language, and since "wrong" already carries a strong negative connotation, it might not need as much embellishment. It's also a word that is often used in quite literal contexts.
Expanding with synonyms and related concepts:
Since "wrong" relates to error, mistakes, and bad behavior, we can look at idioms related to those concepts:
To err is human: (Proverb) Everyone makes mistakes.
Slip up: Make a small mistake.
Make a boo-boo: Make a mistake (often used for minor errors).
Off the mark: Incorrect.
Beside the point: Irrelevant.
Out of line: Inappropriate behavior.
Cross the line: To behave in an unacceptable way.
Fall from grace: To lose respect or status after doing something wrong.
A bad apple: A person who has a negative influence on others.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of wrong from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
