accurate

adjective

ac·​cu·​rate ˈa-kyə-rət How to pronounce accurate (audio)
ˈa-k(ə-)rət
1
: free from error especially as the result of care
an accurate diagnosis
2
: conforming exactly to truth or to a standard : exact
providing accurate color
3
: able to give an accurate result
an accurate gauge
4
: going to, reaching, or hitting the intended target : not missing the target
an accurate shot/kick
The next play, Johnson fielded a sharp grounder and made an accurate throw to first.Joe Smith
5
: tending to hit the intended target
an accurate free-throw shooter
accurateness
ˈa-kyə-rət-nəs How to pronounce accurate (audio)
ˈa-k(ə-)rət-nəs
noun
Choose the Right Synonym for accurate

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 accurate in a Sentence

The model is accurate down to the tiniest details. Her novel is historically accurate. The machines were not yet accurate enough to give useful results.
Recent Examples on the Web While such charts are not always completely accurate, the blue (available) segments of the seating charts on most dates are overwhelmingly larger than the grey (unavailable) ones. Jem Aswad, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Images, even photographs, are not necessarily accurate depictions of reality, and this is hardly a secret to photographers or documentarians. Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 13 Mar. 2024 When buyers and sellers have access to accurate and timely information, the invisible hand can become a powerful force that causes prices to fall to the level of costs and markets to be efficient. Benjamin Chartock, STAT, 13 Mar. 2024 The most accurate value for Pi, according to Guinness World Records, is more than 62 trillion digits (62,831,853,071,796 to be precise), calculated in August 2021 by the University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 The only thing is missing is a gold chain, but otherwise is a very accurate drawing of the person. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 There is 100 feet of hose and connections with three- and four-way interfaces that provide accurate watering. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024 Virginia had been a founding member of the organization, which is aimed at helping states maintain accurate voter registration rolls. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 These figures may not even be fully accurate, says Joseph Raviola, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Advocare Mid-Jersey Pediatrics in New Jersey, because tests are not routinely ordered for norovirus. Kristina Behr, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accurate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin accūrātus "prepared with care, studied, meticulous," from past participle of accūrāre "to give attention to, do carefully," from ad- ad- + cūrāre "to watch over, care for" — more at cure entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accurate was circa 1599

Dictionary Entries Near accurate

Cite this Entry

“Accurate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accurate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

accurate

adjective
ac·​cu·​rate ˈak-yə-rət How to pronounce accurate (audio)
1
: free from mistakes especially as the result of care
an accurate count
2
: agreeing exactly with truth or a standard
an accurate copy
3
: able to give an accurate result
an accurate gauge
accurately
-yə-rət-lē How to pronounce accurate (audio)
-yərt-
adverb
accurateness noun
Etymology

from Latin accuratus "accurate," from accurare "to take care of," from ac-, ad- "to" and cura "care" — related to cure, curious see Word History at cure

More from Merriam-Webster on accurate

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