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 Still, financial markets, analysts, businesses and consumers are eager for a more precise timeline on when the Fed will decide to trim rates. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Minimizing jitter is crucial for the wide range of technologies that rely on precise timekeeping. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 2024 For heavier, all-over coverage, your fingers work just fine for blending, but the brand recommends the small, dense Shadow Brush for more precise coverage. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 In a news conference discussing the results before their public release, the N.I.H. scientists said their scans, done in a research setting, were more precise than the scans produced primarily in clinical settings during earlier studies. Julian E. Barnes, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The elegant menu matches the room; the precise and attentive service matches the menu. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2024 Selection Sunday is the end of weeks of speculation as college basketball fans have sought to predict the precise configuration of teams that will make the final bracket. Jacob Lev, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Finish: Matte Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, olive oil, berry fruit wax, jojoba esters Staying power: Long-wearing Ease of application: For precise application, use the edge of the bullet’s micro-stilo tip to outline the lips before filling them in. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Be sure to read the instructions that come with your test and set a timer for the amount of time listed for the most precise results. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precise.' 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

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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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