precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs 

1

: exactly or sharply defined or stated

2

: minutely exact

3

: strictly conforming to a pattern, standard, or convention

4

: distinguished from every other

at just that precise moment

preciseness noun

Synonyms

• accurate
• close
• delicate
• exact
• fine
• hairline
• mathematical
• pinpoint
• refined
• rigorous
• spot-on

Choose the Right Synonym for precise

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 precise in a Sentence

Be sure to take precise measurements before you cut the cloth.

The dating of very old materials has become more precise with new instruments.

The word has a very precise meaning.

Can you find a more precise term than “good” to describe the movie?

Could you be a little more precise about what happened?

She is very precise in her work.

Recent Examples on the Web

This sophisticated approach to creative optimization, paired with precise targeting, can dramatically improve campaign performance and viewer engagement. —Anirban Datta, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Within the scientific community, there have been disagreements about the moon’s precise age for decades; Nimmo and his colleagues are not the first to put forward an older estimate. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

But prosecutors said that the stab wounds were precise, clean and not made by someone in a self-defense posture. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

This story has been updated to reflect the precise number of seats on the Atlanta-Orlando route. —Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French precis, from Latin praecisus, past participle of praecidere to cut off, from prae- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing precise

• to be precise

Kids Definition

precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs 

1

: exactly or sharply explained or stated

2

: very exact

precise scales

the precise time

3

: agreeing exactly with a rule or standard

precisely adverb

preciseness noun