--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A word is used \"correctly\" when the…" description: "\"A word is used \"correctly\" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a literary, definition of \"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/bertrand-russell-69_average_a-word-is-used-correctly-when-the-averag_712999.jpg" --- # A word is used "correctly" when the average hearer will be… ![“A word is used "correctly" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a literary, definition of "correctness". The literary definition would substitute, for the average hearer, a person of high education living a long time ago; the purpose of…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/bertrand-russell-69_average_a-word-is-used-correctly-when-the-averag_712999.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/bertrand-russell-69_average_a-word-is-used-correctly-when-the-averag_712999.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b8/bertrand-russell-69_average_a-word-is-used-correctly-when-the-averag_712999.jpg) > “A word is used "correctly" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a literary, definition of "correctness". The literary definition would substitute, for the average hearer, a person of high education living a long time ago; the purpose of this definition is to make it difficult to speak or write correctly.” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Correct usage depends on the typical listener’s interpretation, not on elite historical standards. **In simple terms:** Correctness is about how most people understand a word. Key Takeaway Consider the audience when choosing words. Themes language communication interpretation Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - teaching - writing - public speaking - marketing - legal drafting Key Concepts psychology semantics pragmatics Questions to Reflect On - How does audience perception shape meaning? - When might formal standards be useful? A Different Perspective Elite definitions can exclude everyday speakers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) [Correctly Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctly-average-5620602/) [Correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctness/) [Correctness Literary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correctness-literary-5620601/) [Definition Correctness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definition-correctness-5620600/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Long time ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time-ago/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Substitutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substitutes/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Word Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-used-579381/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Political correctness will die as it lived - kicking and screaming ad hominem abuse as a substitute for arguments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-mcelroy/political-correctness-will-die-as-it-lived-kicking-and-screaming-ad/) [Wendy McElroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-mcelroy/) > [Obviousness is always the enemy of correctness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/obviousness-is-always-the-enemy-of-correctness/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“lovely is a lovey word that should be used more often”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/lovely-is-a-lovey-word-that-should-be-used-more-often/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) > [“But is the word used before you rationalize why the situation is not your fault nor responsibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/but-is-the-word-used-before-you-rationalize-why-the-situation-is-not/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) > [Love is nothing more then a word that you used when you stole my heart.!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-nothing-more-then-a-word-that-you-used-when-you-stole-my-heart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Famosity? There must be such a word. I used it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/famosity-there-must-be-such-a-word-i-used-it/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > ["Easy" is a word that's used to describe other people's jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-fried/easy-is-a-word-that-s-used-to-describe-other-people-s-jobs/) [Jason Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-fried/) > [Ugly is a word that should only be used to describe sin and never used to describe people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/ugly-is-a-word-that-should-only-be-used-to-describe-sin-and-never/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [LOVE. A four letter word, over used and under appreciated. The meaning lost in a world of online dating and texts through telephones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/love-a-four-letter-word-over-used-and-under-appreciated-the-meaning/) [Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/) > [I will not sit in a room with black people when the N word is used. I know it was meant to belittle a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-will-not-sit-in-a-room-with-black-people-when-the-n-word-is-used-i/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The word must is not to be used to princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/the-word-must-is-not-to-be-used-to-princes/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Etc... A word used to make others believe that you know more than you actually do:P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loi-lori/etc-a-word-used-to-make-others-believe-that-you-know-more-than-you/) [Loi Lori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loi-lori/) > [The word I used when explaining it was that I am almost 'allergic' to lots of hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-d-arcy/the-word-i-used-when-explaining-it-was-that-i-am-almost-allergic-to/) [Emma D'Arcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-d-arcy/) > [Love was also an easy word, used carelessly. Felons and creeps could offer it coated in sugar, and users could dangle it so enticingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/love-was-also-an-easy-word-used-carelessly-felons-and-creeps-could/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [Love is one of the world most powerful word to used because the word is how we express our feelings to our parents,brothers,sisters,wives,husbands,friends.So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-myers-jr/love-is-one-of-the-world-most-powerful-word-to-used-because-the-word/) [Michael Myers Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-myers-jr/) ## More by Bertrand Russell > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [That the world is in a bad shape is undeniable, but there is not the faintest reason in history to suppose that Christianity offers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/that-the-world-is-in-a-bad-shape-is-undeniable-but-there-is-not-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [All movements go too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/all-movements-go-too-far/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Those who advocate common usage in philosophy sometimes speak in a manner that suggests the mystique of the 'common man.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/those-who-advocate-common-usage-in-philosophy-sometimes-speak-in-a/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Such, in outline, but even more purposeless, more void of meaning, is the world which Science presents for our belief. Amid such a world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/such-in-outline-but-even-more-purposeless-more-void-of-meaning-is-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Dr. Arnold . . . the admired reformer of public schools, came across some cranks who thought it a mistake to flog boys. Anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/dr-arnold-the-admired-reformer-of-public-schools-came-across-some/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Of all evils of war the greatest is the purely spiritual evil: the hatred, the injustice, the repudiation of truth, the artificial conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/of-all-evils-of-war-the-greatest-is-the-purely-spiritual-evil-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it never occurred to him to verify this statement by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/aristotle-maintained-that-women-have-fewer-teeth-than-men-although-he/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-an-opinion-contrary-to-your-own-makes-you-angry-that-is-a-sign/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I cannot escape from the conclusion that the great ages of progress have depended upon a small number of individuals of transcendent ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-cannot-escape-from-the-conclusion-that-the-great-ages-of-progress/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I think it would be just to say the most essential characteristic of mind is memory, using this word in its broadest sense to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-think-it-would-be-just-to-say-the-most-essential-characteristic-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The newspapers at one time said that I was dead but after carefully examining the evidence I came to the conclusion that this statement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-newspapers-at-one-time-said-that-i-was-dead-but-after-carefully/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/persecution-is-used-in-theology-not-in-arithmetic-because-in/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Many orthodox people speak as though it were the business of sceptics to disprove received dogmas rather than of dogmatists to prove them. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/many-orthodox-people-speak-as-though-it-were-the-business-of-sceptics/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [There is no greater reason for children to honour parents than for parents to honour children except, that while the children are young, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/there-is-no-greater-reason-for-children-to-honour-parents-than-for/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) [Explore all 1,620 Bertrand Russell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## More Average quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [There were times last year when people looked at the scoreboard and thought my batting average was the temperature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-martinez/there-were-times-last-year-when-people-looked-at-the-scoreboard-and/) [Buck Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buck-martinez/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [The average well-being of our societies is not dependent any longer on national income and economic growth. ... But the differences between us and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-wilkinson/the-average-well-being-of-our-societies-is-not-dependent-any-longer/) [Richard G. Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-wilkinson/) > [I really focus more to hit for average, just try to put the ball in play as much as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-soto/i-really-focus-more-to-hit-for-average-just-try-to-put-the-ball-in/) [Juan Soto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-soto/) > [You give me enough shots, I'll average 20. You give me a particular system where I stick close to the basket, I'll average 10 rebounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/you-give-me-enough-shots-i-ll-average-20-you-give-me-a-particular/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [The average American expends more time becoming informed about choosing a car than choosing a candidate. But, then, the consequences of the former choice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/the-average-american-expends-more-time-becoming-informed-about/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [My phone rings, they call me up and say, 'Chael, your testosterone level is too high.' 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It is only when we know what were the conditions of the average woman's life -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/the-extraordinary-woman-depends-on-the-ordinary-woman-it-is-only-when/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) [Browse all 2,816 Average quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A word is used \"correctly\" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a literary, definition of \"correctness\". 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