accurate

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

Updated on: 21 May 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

Thus far, most of his revelations, many of which fall beyond the scope of the Stormy Daniels case, have proven to be accurate.

— rachel dodes, Vanities, "Michael Avenatti Is “Very Flattered” That You Think He’s a Style Icon," 17 May 2018
The result is a squad that can fight day or night, deliver more accurate fire, and integrate drones and digital communications tech.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Marine Corps Is Changing the Way It Does Business To Win the Battles of 2025," 15 May 2018
And that's accurate—the township is full of holes dug by eager white fellas.

— ken jennings, Condé Nast Traveler, "Inside Coober Pedy, Australia's Underground Town," 14 May 2018
European Union authorities say his work was accurate.

— nektaria stamouli, WSJ, "Greek High Court Keeps Alive Case Tied to Debt Crisis," 14 May 2018
Keep in mind that his hedge fund deals in crude futures; it’s in his interest to convince others that his prediction might be accurate.

— ed wallace, star-telegram, "Your Lyin’ Eyes," 12 May 2018
Porcelli said that the team looked at three sets of radar data and cross-checked them to make sure their findings were accurate.

— natalie dreier, ajc, "Egyptian authorities announce what is behind walls of Tutankhamun’s tomb," 7 May 2018
If this is accurate, the American people have been lied to and deceived for months.

— sophie tatum, CNN, "Giuliani says Trump reimbursed Cohen for Stormy Daniels payment," 2 May 2018
Assuming the reports and timeline are accurate, Pippa would be due in the fall, likely in October.

— sally holmes, Marie Claire, "Pippa Middleton Is Reportedly Pregnant!!," 22 Apr. 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.