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

April 25, 2024 On April 15, 2019, the world held its breath as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris teetered on the edge of collapse following a severe fire—the precise origins of which are still under investigation. —Lindsey Tramuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2024

In 2019, The New York Times tracked Donald Trump’s precise location for a day by obtaining cell phone location information. —Larry Seltzer, SPIN, 25 Apr. 2024

Some days will require precise steering, while others will demand breakneck speed. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024

The precise time period of the film is unclear, but there is more than a hint of late-medieval folklore about it, a genre that celebrated lust, pleasure, worship, and death as equal parts of life’s folly. —Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

As a result, pharmaceutical companies are exploring alternative delivery methods, such as oral capsules, inhalers and transdermal patches, to ensure precise dosing and consistent effects. —Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024

But this didn’t stop efforts to impose fanciful precise chronologies. —Martin Rees, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

Not all video game adaptations are built equally, and while The Super Mario Bros. Movie can be a treasure trove of references to the video game series' long history and loose storytelling, sometimes, as the Fallout games showcase, a more precise tool is needed for a specific job. —Richard Newby, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

The exact form an attack on Israel might take, what kinds of targets would be involved and the precise timing all remain unclear. —Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 12 Apr. 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