Meaning of right In English

• 0 correct:

  • You got three answers right and two wrong.

  • I set the clock to the right time.

  • "Is that Ms Kramer?" "Yes, that's right."

  • Am I right in thinking (= is it true) that you will be at the conference?

  • You're right to be annoyed - you've been treated very badly.

  • You must put matters right (= make the situation better) by telling the truth.

  • You were right about Pete - he's a real troublemaker.

• 1 suitable or correct, or as it should be:

  • He's the right person for the job.

  • I think you've made the right decision.

  • The temperature of the swimming pool was just right (= exactly as I wanted it).

  • That hat looks just right on you.

  • He thought the time was right to let his intentions be known.

  • She knows all the right people.

  • He likes to be seen in the right clubs and restaurants.

  • The lid has to go on the right way round or it won't fit.

  • Keep the bottle the right way up.

• 2 considered fair or morally acceptable by most people:

  • I don't believe they should have put him in prison. It isn't right.

  • [ + to infinitive ] It's not right to criticize people behind their back.

  • [ + that ] It is only (= completely) right that men and women should be paid the same for doing the same work.

• 3 healthy, or working correctly:

  • I haven't felt right since I ate that meal last night.

  • Something isn't quite right with the brakes on your bike.

• 4 used for emphasizing when something is bad:

  • He's a right idiot.

  • His house is a right mess.

• 5 on or towards the side of your body that is to the east when you are facing north:

  • Most people write with their right hand.

  • He likes to sleep on the right side of the bed.

• 6 on or towards the side of your body that is to the east when you are facing north:

  • Turn/Go right (= take the road on the right) at the first traffic lights.

• 7 exactly or all the way:

  • I've got a pimple right on the end of my nose.

  • They built a row of hotels right along the sea-front.

  • The car ran right (= completely) out of fuel.

  • She walked right (= all the way) past me without noticing me.

  • I'll be right back/I'll be right with you (= I will return very soon).

  • You'd better leave right now.

  • We're very busy right now.

• 8 used as part of the title of particular people, such as bishops and some members of Parliament:

  • the Right Honourable Diane Abbott, MP

• 9 correctly:

  • Why does he never do anything right?

• 10 If something goes right, it is successful or happens in a way that you hoped it would:

  • Things haven't been going right for me these past few months.

• 11 the right side:

  • English is written and read from left to right.

  • King's Avenue is the first right (= the first road on the right side).

  • In this photo, my wife is the woman standing on/to my right.

  • US I took/made ( informal hung) a right (= turned into the next road on the right side) after crossing the bridge.

• 12 political parties or people that have traditional opinions, and that believe in low taxes, property, and industry being privately owned, and less help for the poor:

  • The right was/were in power after 1979.

  • He's a man of the far (= extreme) right.

• 13 what is considered to be morally good or acceptable:

  • Your conscience should tell you the difference between right and wrong.

  • She campaigned for women's rights during the 1960s.

  • Everyone has a right to education.

  • She has no more right to a company car than I have (= she does not deserve one more than I do).

  • [ + to infinitive ] You're not my boss, so what right (= authority) do you have to tell me what to do?

  • You have every right (= you have a good reason) to complain.

  • I think I'm quite within my rights to demand a full refund.

  • He has acquired the film rights to the book (= he is allowed to make a film of the book).

  • The company made a rights issue of one new share for every four held.

  • The company needs over a million dollars to set its finances to rights.

• 14 used to express agreement with someone or to show that you have understood what someone has said:

  • "Johnny, you climb up first." "Right."

  • Right, everyone. Could you all stop talking, and then we'll begin.

  • So there I was right, middle of the night, right, and this guy came up to me...

• 15 If you right a situation or a mistake, you make it better or correct it:

  • It's a terrible situation and we should right it as soon as possible.

  • The canoe will right itself if it capsizes.

• 16 correct, true, or exact:

  • He said the trip would take two hours and he was absolutely/exactly right.

  • My watch has stopped – do you have the right time?

  • Ellen is the right person for the job.

  • She got every answer right.

• 17 suitable or desirable, or as it should be:

  • [ + to infinitive ] He thought the time was right to expand his new business.

  • That hat looks just right on you.

• 18 healthy, or working correctly:

  • I haven’t felt right all day.

• 19 considered fair or morally acceptable by most people:

  • It isn’t right to tell a lie.

• 20 having or showing good judgment; wise:

  • [ + to infinitive ] The president was right to veto that bill.

  • I think we reached the right conclusion.

• 21 your opportunity to act and to be treated in particular ways that the law promises to protect for the benefit of society:

  • civil/human rights

  • You have a right to a trial by jury.

  • [ + to infinitive ] Patients have a right to keep their medical records confidential.

  • The dispute is over fishing rights.

• 22 political groups that believe in limited government and economic controls, private ownership of property and wealth, and traditional social attitudes

• 23 the side of the body opposite the side that contains the heart, or the direction that is the opposite of left:

  • Most people throw a ball with their right hand.

  • Our house is on the right.

  • [ C ] After you go over the bridge, make a right (= turn to the right).

• 24 used to express agreement with someone or to show that you have understood what someone has said:

  • "Robert, be sure to pick up Susan on your way home." "Right."

• 25 exactly; just:

  • I’m too busy to talk right now but I’ll get back to you later.

  • He sat right behind me.

  • I’ll be right back (= I will return very soon).

• 26 someone who has the right to something, or the right to do something, is allowed to have it or do it, often legally or officially:

  • have a right to sth Everybody has a right to equal treatment.

  • have the right to do sth Shareholders have the right to vote on the appointment of a new CEO.

  • She is a leading campaigner for consumer rights.

  • workers'/employment rights

  • human/civil rights

  • voting/property rights

• 27 if a person, company, or organization has the rights to something, they are legally allowed to buy, sell, broadcast, etc. that thing:

  • If the group loses the court case, it will lose its exclusive rights to broadcast live games.

  • distribution rights

  • film/TV/broadcasting rights

  • licensing/marketing rights

• 28 a phrase used to show that a particular person or particular people own the rights to a book, film, etc.

• 29 new shares in a particular company that have become available for existing shareholders to buy:

  • The company made a rights issue of one new share for every four held.