accurate

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

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: accurate in a Sentence

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

4 : going to, reaching, or hitting the intended target : not missing the target

an accurate shot/kick

The next play, Johnson fielded a sharp grounder and made an accurate throw to first.
—Joe Smith

5 : tending to hit the intended target

an accurate free-throw shooter

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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 the perception that the cuisine at fast casual establishments is healthier than fast food may or may not be accurate.

— Health.com, "The 4 Healthiest Menu Items at Panera Bread (Plus 3 Things to Avoid)," 13 July 2018
If the report is accurate then Apple is introducing at least four new colors for its 2018 iPhones, an unusual step for the company.

— tom warren, The Verge, "Apple reportedly launching new iPhones in blue, orange, and gold colors," 5 July 2018
Google, for instance, won out against Alta Vista, the leading search engine in the late 1990s, because its interface was cleaner, searches came up more quickly and the results were more accurate.

— The Economist, "More knock-on than networkThe story of the internet is all about layers," 28 June 2018
Russell said the technology EAGL uses is more accurate than what has been available previously because the sensors don't confuse gunshots with other loud noises, such as fireworks.

— ivan moreno, The Christian Science Monitor, "Wisconsin schools to roll out gunshot detection sensors," 26 June 2018
The official numbers were more accurate then; it’s been left to our faulty memories to alter the reality of that decade.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Myths and Numbers," 17 June 2018
In fact, the newspaper had taped the interview and the transcription was accurate.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "Trump’s press conference in Britain was incredibly awkward.," 13 July 2018
Shop the Saks Fifth Avenue Midsummer Surprise Sale Prices are accurate at the time this article was published, but may change over time.

— courtney campbell, USA TODAY, "All the other stores having sales for Amazon Prime Day," 13 July 2018
The number of provisional ballots has fallen in recent years, Marks said, and his office is studying the data to see how much of that can be attributed to more accurate voter information thanks to online voter registration.

— jonathan lai, Philly.com, "Online voter registration in Pa., three years in: More than 1 in 5 voters register online," 12 July 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.