Learn more about Mechanics:
AbbreviationsCapitalizationCompound Words: Everything You Need to KnowContractionsSpellingWhat is the difference between "right" and "write"?

The words right and write are often confused because they sound similar. We'll explain the difference.
Right means that which complies with justice, law or reason when used as a noun. It can mean righteous, correct, or appropriate when used as an adjective. It also means opposite of left.
Write means to form letters, words or symbols on a surface in order to communicate when used as a verb.
A good way to remember the difference is write with words: those all start with w.
Write and right are homophones. They sound the same, but they have different spellings and very different meanings.
Write
Write is what you do when you put words on a page. This could mean writing with your hand and a writing utensil, but it can also mean typing on your computer or phone. Write can literally mean to just form letters, or it can mean to create a whole piece of written work, like a book, essay, or blog post.
Some synonyms of write are: create, draw, describe, create verbally, pen.
Right
Right has several uses. At its most basic definition, it means the opposite of left. For instance, you might say, Turn right at the stop sign. Sometimes, right is an adverb that means just, exactly, or at this instant. As an adjective, right can mean that something is correct. It might also mean righteous or appropriate. You might say, "Do the right thing." Finally, as a noun, right means a basic law or privilege. The Bill of Rights is an example of ten basic rights.
Some synonyms of right are: correct, powerful, correcting, decent.
Still confused? Check out our video to master the difference.
FAQs
Is it nothing to write home about or nothing to right home about?
The correct phrase is nothing to write home about. It means it's not worth writing about because it's unimpressive.
What's the correct phrase: barge right in or barge write in?
The correct expression is barge right in, e.g. I decided to barge right in and separate them.
Is the expression give your right arm or give your write arm?
The right expression is give your right arm. This means you want or need something so much, you'd give up an arm.
Should I use right on the button or write on the button?
You should use right on the button, e.g. As usual, her analysis was right on the button.
Never confuse right and write again. Install our free grammar checker browser extension.
The definitions in this article were adapted from Wiktionary.
Examples of right in a sentence
The Baelrath on her right hand was very bright;- The wandering fire by Guy Gavriel Kay
Yuri McCoy is right.- Grand Junction by Maurice G. Dantec
Death is the common right Of toads and men.- The collected poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson; Rachel Wetzsteon
You are right.- From Russia with love: a James Bond novel by Ian Fleming
Yeah, right.- The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
Examples of write in a sentence
Connor gets to play baseball and write stories, and I can have Lucy come right to my room to play.- The heart of Devin MacKade by Nora Roberts
He sat on the edge of the main tank and took out a notebook and began to write.- Death of an Outsider by M. C. Beaton
Table tipping he might be able to write off, but his chair…?- The Haunted Air by F. Paul Wilson
It's not how writers write.- Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
During this time Dickinson also began to write poetry.- The collected poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson; Rachel Wetzsteon
Test yourself
Choose the missing word in each question.