Right

How to spell right

5 letters · 1 syllable

How to pronounce right

What does right mean?

1. adjectiveCorrect or true; the side or direction opposite to left; a moral or legal entitlement.

Right in a sentence

• The right side of the road is used for driving in Canada.

• You're absolutely right about that.

• The right answer is at the back of the book.

• I have the right to disagree.

• Everyone has the right to a fair hearing.

Where does right come from?

Language of origin: Germanic

The word comes from the Old English riht, an adjective and noun meaning 'straight, just, correct, or proper'. It traces back to the Proto-Germanic rehtaz and ultimately to the Indo-European root reg, meaning 'to move in a straight line' or 'to direct', the same root that gives us 'regent', 'regular', and 'correct'. Originally the word carried the sense of moral straightness and justice, and the meaning 'the opposite of left' developed because the right hand was historically regarded as the proper, stronger, and more dexterous one. The spelling preserves the old Germanic 'gh' cluster, once pronounced as a throaty sound that fell silent over the centuries, which is exactly why 'right' now sounds identical to 'write', 'rite', and 'wright' and is so easily muddled in writing. This silent 'gh' is the main spelling trap, since nothing in the modern pronunciation hints that the letters are there.

How the word is built

• right (from Old English riht: straight, just, correct)

Words that sound like right

They sound the same but mean different things, so the meaning decides which spelling to write.

• rite: A formal act or ceremony, especially a religious or solemn one performed according to fixed custom.
• wright: A person who builds, makes, or repairs something, especially as a skilled tradesperson.
• write: To form letters, words, or text on a surface, or to compose a piece of writing.