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Right

RYT /raɪt/

nounadjectiveA1SATTOEFL

generalformal

(noun) A moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something, or to act in a certain way. (adjective) Morally good, justified, or acceptable.

As a noun, 'right' refers to a fundamental entitlement or privilege. In legal and political contexts, it implies a claim that can be enforced. As an adjective, it means correct or proper, often in a moral sense.

The story behind the word. The word 'right' has deep Germanic roots, tracing back to the Old English 'riht,' which meant 'just, good, proper, fitting, straight.' It's related to similar words in Old High German ('reht') and Old Norse ('rettr'). This ancient lineage shows how the concepts of correctness, straightness, and moral justice have been intertwined in language for millennia. Over time, it evolved to also mean a legal or moral entitlement.

Word relationships

Entitlement: Emphasizes a formal claim or privilege, often legally granted.
Prerogative: A special right or privilege enjoyed by a particular person or group.
Justice: Justice is the principle of fairness, while a 'right' is a specific entitlement derived from that principle.

Wrong: The opposite of what is morally or legally correct; an injustice or error.
Obligation: A duty or commitment, often contrasted with a right (one's right implies another's obligation).

Commonly confused with

Privilege: A 'right' is something everyone is inherently entitled to (e.g., free speech), while a 'privilege' is a special advantage or favor granted to some, which can be taken away (e.g., a special parking permit).

Word family

rightful (adjective): legally or morally correct; proper.
rightly (adverb): with good reason; correctly.
righteous (adjective): morally right or justifiable.

Collocations

human rights
civil rights
legal right
constitutional right
right to privacy
right to choose
have a right

Idioms & expressions

by rights (justly, properly)
in the right (morally or legally correct)
right and proper (correct and appropriate)

Example sentences

"Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech, even if their opinions are unpopular." Fundamental entitlements.
"Doing the right thing isn't always easy, but it's often the most rewarding." Moral correctness.
"The court upheld the defendant's right to a fair trial, despite public pressure." Legal claims.

Memory hook

Think of 'RIGHT' as what is morally 'RIGHT' and what you have a 'RIGHT' to do. Do the RIGHT thing.

When not to use

While 'right' has many meanings, be precise when using it in a legal or ethical context to ensure it's clear you mean an entitlement, not just correctness or direction. For instance, 'the right answer' is different from 'the right to vote'.

Fun facts

The word 'right' is one of the most polysemous words in English, meaning it has many different meanings, from direction ('turn right') to correctness ('you are right') to entitlement ('human rights').

Related words

Justice, Civil Rights

Explore more words

entitlement, obligation, ethical, duty, propriety, rectitude