autocorrect

Everyday

1. A tool in phones and computers that changes words it thinks are spelled wrong while you type. tree →
2. verb To change a word in this way. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life autocorrect helps with spelling but also makes funny or embarrassing mistakes by putting the wrong word in. In lessons about computers, children learn to check their writing because autocorrect is not always right. Phrases: «turn off autocorrect», «autocorrect fail», «blame autocorrect».

Examples

• Autocorrect changed «ducking» into something silly. tree →
• My phone autocorrected my friend's name into «Kitty». tree →
• Don't trust autocorrect — read your message before you send it. tree →
• I turned off autocorrect when I was writing in French. tree →
• Sorry, that was autocorrect, not me! tree →
• Autocorrect can't tell «their» from «there» very well. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable as a noun. Regular verb. Trap: autocorrect only checks if a word exists, not if it is the right word, so homophones like «their/there» slip through.