Meaning

(loosely) Both exact and accurate..

Definitions by Sense

1. (loosely) Both exact and accurate.
2. (sciences, engineering, of data points, strictly) Consistent, clustered close together, agreeing with each other (this does not mean that they cluster near the true, correct, or accurate value).
3. Adhering too much to rules; prim or punctilious.
4. (nonstandard, European Union documents, transitive) To make or render precise; to specify.

Example Sentences

precise definition

highly precise

precise calculation

Please give a precise measurement of the room.

Her precise instructions made the task easier.

A memory is "precise" when the occurrences that would verify it are narrowly circumscribed: for instance, "I met Jones" is precise as compared to "I met a man." A memory is "accurate" when it is both precise and true, i.e. in the above instance, if it was Jones I met.

Individually, some of these definitions fall into the common definitional trap of being overly precise.

This proposal for a new basic regulation is justified because there is a need to precise the objectives of the CFP.

Word Forms

• more precise
• preciser
• most precise
• precisest
• præcise
• precises
• precising
• precised

Synonyms for precise

Antonyms for precise

Related Words

When Should You Use Precise?

Use precise when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions