accuracy

noun

ac·​cu·​ra·​cy ˈa-kyə-rə-sē How to pronounce accuracy (audio)
ˈa-k(ə-)rə-
plural accuracies
1
: freedom from mistake or error : correctness
checked the novel for historical accuracy
2
a
: conformity to truth or to a standard or model : exactness
impossible to determine with accuracy the number of casualties
b
: degree of conformity of a measure to a standard or a true value compare precision entry 1 sense 2a

Examples of accuracy in a Sentence

Each experiment is performed twice to ensure accuracy. The police questioned the accuracy of his statement. He could not say with any accuracy what he had seen. Several managers have tried to increase the speed and accuracy of the workers.
Recent Examples on the Web The Biden Administration, meanwhile, has provided little information regarding the accuracy of Israeli air strikes, while aggressively condemning Russian attacks that kill Ukrainian civilians. Anna Schecter, NBC News, 21 Nov. 2023 Your question may be edited for accuracy and clarity. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 This trove of historical weather data will improve the accuracy of our climate models, Teleti says. Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 The national flood forecast relies on estimates rather than observed data for local factors, affecting its accuracy, Glaudemans said. Minho Kim, Scientific American, 13 Nov. 2023 But that’s where all the pleasure lies: on a construction like that and the care of it and the accuracy of it and the delicacy of it and the power of it. David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023 Historical dramas that put a modern spin on the period in which they’re set — instead of attempting to render it with perfect accuracy — are all the rage. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023 This is especially concerning from a research ethics standpoint, as the studies had an epidemiologist co-author responsible for verifying the accuracy of the dataset. James M. Smoliga, Dvm, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023 Each of the homes in the collection has an average rating of 4.9 stars or above, has reviews noting their ease of check-in, their cleanliness, the listing's accuracy, a superb location, high marks on host communication, and, importantly, good value. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accuracy.' 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

accur(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accuracy was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near accuracy

Cite this Entry

“Accuracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accuracy. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

accuracy

noun
ac·​cu·​ra·​cy ˈak-yə-rə-sē How to pronounce accuracy (audio)
plural accuracies
1
: freedom from error : correctness
2
: conformity to a standard : exactness

More from Merriam-Webster on accuracy

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