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

Introduced in 1927, Heisenberg uncertainty principle is a result that could underpin future ultra-precise sensor technology used in navigation, medicine, and astronomy. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Flying a drone toward a bear can be more effective and precise than other methods, such as shooting rubber bullets, and there is less risk of injury to both bears and humans. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025

From the precise parts of cornrows to the full embrace of an afro, each style tells a story shaped by family, culture, and resilience. —Essence, 25 Sep. 2025

The series would have significantly benefited from a more precise edit, zeroing in entirely on the top-of-mind characters instead of trying to make space for every single Guinness on the family tree and those surrounding them. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 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