accurate

adjective

ac·​cu·​rate ˈa-kyə-rət How to pronounce accurate (audio)
ˈa-k(ə-)rət
1
: free from error especially as the result of care
an accurate diagnosis
2
: conforming exactly to truth or to a standard : exact
providing accurate color
3
: able to give an accurate result
an accurate gauge
4
: going to, reaching, or hitting the intended target : not missing the target
an accurate shot/kick
The next play, Johnson fielded a sharp grounder and made an accurate throw to first.Joe Smith
5
: tending to hit the intended target
an accurate free-throw shooter
accurateness
ˈa-kyə-rət-nəs How to pronounce accurate (audio)
ˈa-k(ə-)rət-nəs
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for accurate

correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth.

correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

Examples of accurate in a Sentence

The model is accurate down to the tiniest details. Her novel is historically accurate. The machines were not yet accurate enough to give useful results.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forecasts will become less accurate in time, with people getting less lead time when inclement weather may impact their daily lives. Bryan Karrick, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025 Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 29 May 2025 The ultra-wide camera retains steadiness but produces video with more accurate colors. PC Magazine, 29 May 2025 The Justice Department sued North Carolina and its elections board on Tuesday, accusing officials of failing to maintain accurate voter rolls in violation of federal law. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for accurate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin accūrātus "prepared with care, studied, meticulous," from past participle of accūrāre "to give attention to, do carefully," from ad- ad- + cūrāre "to watch over, care for" — more at cure entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accurate was circa 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accurate. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

accurate

adjective
ac·​cu·​rate ˈak-yə-rət How to pronounce accurate (audio)
1
: free from mistakes especially as the result of care
an accurate count
2
: agreeing exactly with truth or a standard
an accurate copy
3
: able to give an accurate result
an accurate gauge
accurately
-yə-rət-lē How to pronounce accurate (audio)
-yərt-
adverb
accurateness noun
Etymology

from Latin accuratus "accurate," from accurare "to take care of," from ac-, ad- "to" and cura "care" — related to cure, curious see Word History at cure

More from Merriam-Webster on accurate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!