precise

adjective

pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce precise (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Equipped with even better, more precise data — as well as the benefit of being able to see what happened to these communities with the greater passage of time — the economists take another look at the aftermath of the China Shock. Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025 Or to be more precise, people are noticing their shirts. Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2025 This enables precise measurement of the membrane's motion by canceling out background noise such as small vibrations in the lab from equipment or even people talking. John Loeffler, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025 Each offers fast, precise readings and clearer optics than many competitors. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for precise 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of precise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near precise

Cite this Entry

“Precise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precise. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

precise

adjective
pre·​cise pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce precise (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on precise

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