precise

precisest; preciser

Precise means strictly correct or very exact. If you need something to be precise, like the positioning of a safety net for a stunt jump over a canyon, there's no room for error.

The word precise might make you think of a scientist carefully measuring the mass of a chemical for an experiment or an accountant double checking her calculations. But there's value to being precise in less formal situations as well. When making a grilled cheese sandwich, for example, it’s important that the arrangement of ingredients be precise: place a tomato in each corner and ensure that the cheese covers every inch of bread so that each bite is full of gooey delight.

Definitions of precise
  1. adjective
    sharply exact or accurate or delimited
    “a precise mind”
    “specified a precise amount”
    “arrived at the precise moment”
    Synonyms:
    accurate
    conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
    distinct
    easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined
    exact
    marked by strict and particular and complete accordance with fact
    specific
    (sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique
    dead
    unerringly accurate
    fine
    minutely precise especially in differences in meaning
    finespun, hairsplitting
    developed in excessively fine detail
    meticulous, punctilious
    marked by precise accordance with details
    microscopic
    extremely precise with great attention to details
    nice, skillful
    done with delicacy and skill
    on the button, on the nose
    being precise with regard to a prescribed or specified criterion
    very
    precisely as stated
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    imprecise
    not precise
    inaccurate
    not exact
    inexact
    not exact
    general
    applying to all or most members of a category or group
    general
    somewhat indefinite
    show more antonyms...
  2. adjective
    (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct
    “a precise image”
    “a precise measurement”
    synonyms: accurate, exact
    correct, right
    free from error; especially conforming to fact or truth
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘precise'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing precise

Common Core Grades 11–12, List 5

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested in Grades 11 and 12. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments. Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7

Common Core Grades 9–10, List 5

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested in Grades 9 and 10. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments. Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8

Common Core Grades 7–8, List 5

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested in Grades 7 and 8. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8

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