Correctivo

Correctivo is a Spanish term that functions as both a noun and an adjective. It derives from corregir and refers to something that corrects, rectifies, or mitigates errors, defects, or deviations. The word is commonly used in technical, professional, and everyday language to describe remedies or measures aimed at restoring proper conditions or performance.

In quality management and engineering, a correctivo denotes a remedy implemented to remove the root cause of a nonconformity and prevent its recurrence. It is often part of a broader corrective action plan, which may be accompanied by preventive actions to improve processes and outcomes. In this context, “acciones correctivas” or “medidas correctivas” are standard terms.

In educational or workplace settings, a correctivo can refer to a disciplinary measure intended to correct behavior or performance. While it may involve sanctions, the underlying aim is corrective rather than punitive, distinguishing it from harsher forms of punishment in some traditions.

In optics and medicine, the term appears in expressions such as lentes correctivos or gafas correctivas, describing corrective lenses designed to improve vision. The adjective is also used in other fields to describe components or procedures that repair or align equipment, such as mantenimiento correctivo or patches or updates that fix software defects.

As a standalone noun, un correctivo is understood but less common than phrases like “medida correctiva.” The term should not be confused with corrección, which emphasizes the act of correcting itself rather than the remedy or measure implemented.