precise

pre·cise

adjective \pri-ˈsīs\

Definition of PRECISE

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>

— pre·cise·ness noun

Examples of PRECISE

1. Be sure to take precise measurements before you cut the cloth.
2. The dating of very old materials has become more precise with new instruments.
3. The word has a very precise meaning.
4. Can you find a more precise term than “good” to describe the movie?
5. Could you be a little more precise about what happened?
6. She is very precise in her work.

Origin of PRECISE

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

Related to PRECISE

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough

Related Words

correct, right, strict, true; definite, definitive; nice, subtle; careful, fastidious, finical, finicky, meticulous

Near Antonyms

approximate, round; false, incorrect, untrue, wrong; careless, loose; indefinite, unclear, vague; doubtful, dubious, questionable, unreliable, untrustworthy

See Synonym Discussion at correct

Rhymes with PRECISE

advice, allspice, black ice, Brandeis, bride-price, brown rice, concise, cut ice, cut-price, deice, device, dry ice, entice, excise, fried rice, list price, make nice, no dice, off-price, on ice, pack ice, shelf ice, strike price, white rice, wild rice