Hypercorrect

Alternative forms

• hyper-correct

Origin

- + correct

Full definition of hypercorrect

Adjective

1. (grammar) incorrect because of a mistaken idea of standard usageThe often exaggerated addition of /h/ before words like "out" in written Cockney is a hypercorrect affectation.

Derived terms

• hypercorrection, hyper-correction
• hypercorrective, hyper-corrective
• hypercorrectness, hyper-correctness

Verb

1. (transitive) To change (a word or phrase) to an incorrect form in the mistaken belief that it is standard usage.
• 2007, October 28, William Safire, And Now This, I use reduplicate to mean redouble, though both words should mean quadruple, but English is funny that way, so hold off on the hypercorrecting gotcha!