rightness

Everyday

1. Rightness is the quality of being morally right, good or fair. tree →
2. Rightness is also the quality of being correct or suitable. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics and religious education, people discuss the rightness or wrongness of actions, for example whether telling a lie to protect a friend is right. In formal writing it also means fit or suitable: "the rightness of the choice". Phrases: "the rightness of", "a sense of rightness", "rightness and wrongness".

Examples

• We debated the rightness of keeping animals in zoos. tree →
• She was sure of the rightness of her decision. tree →
• (formal) The judge thought carefully about the rightness of the punishment. tree →
• There was a feeling of rightness when all the puzzle pieces fit. tree →
• Philosophers ask what gives an action its rightness. tree →
• He never doubted the rightness of standing up to the bully. tree →

Note

Uncountable. It is a fairly formal word; in everyday speech you'd say "whether it is right". Opposite: wrongness. Related: righteousness (a church word for being good in God's eyes).