precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs 

1

: exactly or sharply defined or stated

2

: minutely exact

3

: strictly conforming to a pattern, standard, or convention

4

: distinguished from every other

at just that precise moment

preciseness noun

Synonyms

• accurate
• mathematical

Choose the Right Synonym for precise

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

Examples of precise in a Sentence

Be sure to take precise measurements before you cut the cloth.

The dating of very old materials has become more precise with new instruments.

The word has a very precise meaning.

Can you find a more precise term than “good” to describe the movie?

Could you be a little more precise about what happened?

She is very precise in her work.

Recent Examples on the Web

The system works in bacteria, human cells, and even live tumor models, offering a safer and more precise alternative to traditional techniques. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

In every one of these Thomas McGuane stories, something is going to be very wrong and yet probably hilarious—existential slapstick in ventriloquial voices with such precise language and restraint that his sentences will literally shine up off the page. —Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

Research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that this robot is 10 times more precise in preparing these embryo culture plates than humans. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025

But those missiles aren’t nearly as precise as drones and could cause many civilian casualties. —Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French precis, from Latin praecisus, past participle of praecidere to cut off, from prae- + caedere to cut

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing precise

• to be precise

Rhymes for precise

• advice
• allspice
• concise
• device
• entice
• excise
• fordyce
• suffice
• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice

Kids Definition

precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs 

1

: exactly or sharply explained or stated

2

: very exact

precise scales

the precise time

3

: agreeing exactly with a rule or standard

precisely adverb

preciseness noun