Origin: Latin suffix -al
Correctional has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
Of, pertaining to, or intended for correction.
"The correctional officer noticed that the inmate's attitude was improving after his recent participation in the program."
In plain English: Correctional means related to fixing mistakes, such as when someone corrects their homework errors.
"The correctional officer watched the inmates during their morning exercise routine."
Usage: This adjective is almost exclusively used in formal contexts regarding prisons and rehabilitation facilities; avoid using it casually when referring to fixing minor errors like spelling or math problems. Instead of "correctional," use specific terms such as "penitentiary" for institutions or simply "corrective" for general fixes.
The word comes from the Latin root correctus, meaning to make straight or set right. It entered English as an adjective describing anything related to correcting mistakes or reforming behavior.