accurate

adjective ac·cu·rate \ ˈa-kyə-rət , ˈa-k(ə-)rət \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of accurate

1 : free from error especially as the result of care

an accurate diagnosis

2 : conforming exactly to truth or to a standard : exact

providing accurate color

3 : able to give an accurate result

an accurate gauge

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accurately

play \ˈa-kyə-rət-lē, ˈa-k(ə-)rət-, ˈa-k(y)ərt-\ adverb

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accurateness

play \-kyə-rət-nəs, -k(ə-)rət-nəs\ noun

See accurate defined for English-language learners

See accurate defined for kids

Examples of accurate in a Sentence

The model is accurate down to the tiniest details.
Her novel is historically accurate.
The machines were not yet accurate enough to give useful results.

Recent Examples of accurate from the Web

But that public image of Garrett isn’t entirely accurate.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "New documentary shows profane side of Cowboys coach Jason Garrett | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 18 Apr. 2018
Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar has finally revealed there was tension between him and fellow striker Edinson Cavani earlier in the season, although the extent to which the media claimed was not accurate.

— SI.com, "Neymar Finally Admits 'Issues' With Edinson Cavani Ahead of PSG Title Win," 16 Apr. 2018
And some of the statements weren’t entirely accurate.

— joey flechas and charles rabin, miamiherald, "He was about to make the National Honor Society — then came gunfire at Liberty Square | Miami Herald," 9 Apr. 2018
John Chilton wrote a letter to Republican Gov. Matt Bevin saying revenue projections for House Bill 366 are not accurate.

— adam beam, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky budget director says tax changes would lead to a $50 million shortfall," 7 Apr. 2018
Burke says this information could also be used to take accurate population counts.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "How Do You Protect Endangered Animals at Night? Ask an Astrophysicist.," 6 Apr. 2018
An accurate count in the decennial tally is crucial, as population helps determine an area’s share of federal funding for certain programs and the size of a state’s House delegation.

— jenna lyons, San Francisco Chronicle, "Santa Clara County spends big to boost census count," 6 Apr. 2018
The result is a more accurate rifle with the potential to hit targets at nearly three quarters of a mile.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "U.S. Marines Are Finally Getting a New Sniper Rifle," 4 Apr. 2018
Salman's defense attorneys argued those statements weren't accurate.

— jennifer earl, Fox News, "Pulse nightclub trial for Noor Salman: What to know about the Orlando shooter's widow," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accurate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of accurate

borrowed from Latin accūrātus "prepared with care, studied, meticulous," from past participle of accūrāre "to give attention to, do carefully," from ad- ad- + cūrāre "to watch over, care for" — more at ²cure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1599

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

accurate Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of accurate

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

ACCURATE Defined for English Language Learners

accurate

adjective

Definition of accurate for English Language Learners

: free from mistakes or errors
: able to produce results that are correct : not making mistakes

ACCURATE Defined for Kids

accurate

adjective ac·cu·rate \ ˈa-kyə-rət \

Definition of accurate for Students

: free from mistakes : right

an accurate answer

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accurately

adverb

Word Root of accurate

The Latin word cūrāre, meaning “to care,” gives us the root cur. Words from the Latin cūrāre have something to do with giving care. A cure, something that heals sickness, is something that cares for someone's health. Anything accurate has been carefully measured or supplied so that it is free from mistakes. A curator is a person who cares for the things in a museum.