imprecise

adjective

im·​pre·​cise ˌim-pri-ˈsīs 

: not precise : inexact, vague

an imprecise estimate

imprecisely adverb

impreciseness noun

imprecision

ˌim-pri-ˈsi-zhən 

noun

Synonyms of imprecise

• inaccurate
• approximate
• approximative

Examples of imprecise in a Sentence

It's an imprecise translation of the original sentence.

3.14 is an imprecise approximation of the value of pi

Recent Examples on the Web

Because if the Protocol upends the REC market with precisely imprecise requirements almost no one is ready to meet, investors will be able to compute the hit to companies’ bottom line. — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

While the budget itself is an imprecise source of financial information, its addenda provide troves of useful data for those savvy enough to find them. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026

Some estimates were too imprecise to support a firm conclusion, and previous longitudinal studies have reported links between loneliness, isolation and physical illness. — The Conversation Us, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026

Because that is the imprecise language used in reference to the children of Al Hol; of the 70,000 residents, approximately two-thirds are children, of whom approximately half are under twelve. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for imprecise

• sacrifice
• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• precise
• suffice
• dice
• feis

Kids Definition

imprecise

adjective

im·​pre·​cise ˌim-pri-ˈsīs 

: not precise

an imprecise estimate

imprecisely adverb

impreciseness noun

imprecision

-ˈsizh-ən 

noun