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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Wrong Meaning, Examples, and Common Mistakes (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：not correct (wrong)

wrong 🔊

/rɒŋ/

adj.

Not correct or true; not in accordance with fact.

Wrong math answer with red cross on paper

not correct 🔊

➕

/nɒt kəˈrɛkt/

adj.

Refers to something that is not accurate or is based on false information.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'wrang' (twisted/unjust) and Old Norse 'rangr' (crooked).

💡 Mnemonic

W-R-O-N-G = We Really Ought Not Go (because it's wrong).

📖 Example

I thought the movie started at 7 PM, but I was wrong; it actually starts at 8 PM. 🔊 I thought the movie started at 7 PM, but I was wrong; it actually starts at 8 PM.

🔗 Collocations

be wrong about – To have an incorrect belief or opinion concerning something or someone.

prove wrong – To demonstrate that something is incorrect or that someone is mistaken.

wrong answer – An answer that is not correct.

🔄 Synonyms

incorrect (adj.) – Not in accordance with fact; wrong.

false (adj.) – Not true; not based on facts.

mistaken (adj.) – Based on a misunderstanding or error.

🚫 Antonyms

correct (adj.) – In accordance with fact or truth.

right (adj.) – Morally good, justified, or acceptable; true or correct as a fact.

true (adj.) – In accordance with fact or reality.

🌱 Derivatives

wrongly (adv.) – In a way that is incorrect or unjust.

wrongness (n.) – The quality or state of being wrong.

wrongful (adj.) – Not fair, just, or legal.

📖 Cultural Story

In English, 'wrong' is fundamental to ethics and law, often paired with 'right' to define moral boundaries. The phrase 'right and wrong' dates back to Old English legal texts.

Meaning 2：morally wrong (wrong)

wrong 🔊

/rɒŋ/

adj.

Not morally right or fair; an action that you should not do.

Guilty child holding broken mug in kitchen

morally wrong 🔊

➕

/ˈmɔːrəli rɒŋ/

adj.

Describes actions that are not considered morally acceptable or fair; often involving harm or deceit.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Taking something that doesn't belong to you is wrong, even if no one sees you do it. 🔊 Taking something that doesn't belong to you is wrong, even if no one sees you do it.

🔗 Collocations

morally wrong – Contrary to accepted standards of right and wrong in a society.

wrong to do – Not right or acceptable to perform a certain action.

a wrong act – An action that is unethical or illegal.

🔄 Synonyms

unethical (adj.) – Not morally correct.

immoral (adj.) – Violating moral principles; bad.

unjust (adj.) – Not based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.

🚫 Antonyms

moral (adj.) – Concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior.

ethical (adj.) – Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.

just (adj.) – Based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.

🌱 Derivatives

wrongdoing (n.) – Illegal or dishonest behavior.

wrongful (adj.) – Not fair, just, or legal.

wrongly (adv.) – In a way that is incorrect or unjust.

Meaning 3：not appropriate (wrong)

wrong 🔊

/rɒŋ/

adj.

Not suitable or appropriate for a particular situation or person.

Man in swimwear awkward in formal library

not appropriate 🔊

➕

/nɒt əˈprəʊpriət/

adj.

Indicates something that does not fit the expected standards or requirements of a specific context.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Wearing flip-flops to a formal job interview is definitely the wrong choice. 🔊 Wearing flip-flops to a formal job interview is definitely the wrong choice.

🔗 Collocations

wrong for – Not suitable or fitting for a particular person, situation, or purpose.

the wrong thing – An action or item that is not appropriate in the context.

wrong choice – A selection that is not suitable or advisable.

🔄 Synonyms

inappropriate (adj.) – Not suitable or proper in the circumstances.

unsuitable (adj.) – Not right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or occasion.

improper (adj.) – Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards, especially of morality or honesty.

🚫 Antonyms

appropriate (adj.) – Suitable or proper in the circumstances.

suitable (adj.) – Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

proper (adj.) – Denoting something that is truly what it is said or regarded to be; genuine.

🌱 Derivatives

wrongly (adv.) – In an inappropriate or mistaken way.

wrongness (n.) – The state of being unsuitable or inappropriate.