precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce precise (audio)
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
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 Be sure to read the instructions that come with your test and set a timer for the amount of time listed for the most precise results. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Officials here, as elsewhere, have long argued that the launchers, recognizable by their fluorescent green barrel, allow for more precise targeting of violent individuals and thereby reduce serious injuries. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Created in conjunction with Morrison Water Services, the solution uses predictive technology to model water flow and demand, allowing for more precise identification of problem regions. Oleg Fonarov, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Super precise, the slim stick is the perfect diameter for snatching your under eyes and sculpting the face, plus easy to slide in your purse for on the go touch ups. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024 Snake venoms differ across species, and treatment must be precise—though it’s not always known which species has bitten a person. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Sometimes both the shapes and the hues are precise, yet some of the colors shimmer, as in the vertical bands airbrushed by Don Dudley and the vertical ones painted by Norman Zammitt (1931-2007). Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Yet their precise, shifting coordinates were showing up in UberMedia’s advertising data. Byron Tau, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2024 Each course was served with precise instructions on how to transport it from plate to mouth. Pete Wells, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of precise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near precise

Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precise. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

precise

adjective
pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce precise (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on precise

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