precise
prih-SYS
Precise (adjective) means Exact and accurate, with no vagueness or error. Example: “Baking needs precise measurements, so weigh the flour carefully.”
adjective
1
Exact and accurate, with no vagueness or error.
"Please give a precise measurement of the room."
"Baking needs precise measurements, so weigh the flour carefully."
"Individually, some of these definitions fall into the common definitional trap of being overly precise."
— James Lambert, A multitude of ‘lishes’: The nomenclature of hybridity (2018)
"She gave precise directions to the venue, down to the exact turn."
"The surgeon's precise movements left barely a scar."
"Her precise instructions made the task easier."
How to use precise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExact, specific, and free of ambiguity.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "concise" (brief) — something can be precise without being short, or short without being precise.
Common pairings
precise measurements
precise instructions
to be more precise
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- precises
- Past tense
- precised
- Comparative
- more precise, preciser
- Superlative
- most precise, precisest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Baking needs _____ measurements, so weigh the flour carefully.
Etymology
From Latin praecisus, \"cut off short,\" from prae- (\"before\") plus caedere (\"to cut\") — the idea of something trimmed down to exactly the right size.
Related words
Rhymes for precise
See all rhymes for precise →Frequently asked questions
What does “precise” mean?
The word “precise” means exact and accurate, with no vagueness or error. In plain terms, exact, specific, and free of ambiguity.
How do you pronounce “precise”?
“Precise” is pronounced prih-SYS (/pɹɪˈsaɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “precise” in a sentence?
Here is “precise” used in a sentence: “She gave precise directions to the venue, down to the exact turn.”
What part of speech is “precise”?
“Precise” is an adjective.
Where does the word “precise” come from?
The word “precise” comes from Latin. From Latin praecisus, \"cut off short,\" from prae- (\"before\") plus caedere (\"to cut\") — the idea of something trimmed down to exactly the right size.
Is “precise” a common word?
“Precise” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "precise" and "accurate"?
"Accurate" means correct and free from error, while "precise" means exact and detailed, with no vagueness. A measurement can be precise, meaning very specific, without being accurate, meaning correct, so the two are not the same.
What is the difference between "precise" and "exact"?
"Precise" and "exact" are close synonyms, both meaning free from vagueness or approximation. "Exact" tends to stress complete correctness of a figure or fact, while "precise" also emphasises sharp detail and careful definition; they are often interchangeable.
When should you use "precise" instead of "specific"?
Use "precise" when you mean something is exact and free from error or vagueness, and "specific" when you mean clearly defined and particular rather than general. A precise figure is exact, while a specific example is one particular case.
What is the difference between "precise" and "concise"?
Though they look similar, "precise" means exact and accurate, while "concise" means brief and to the point. A statement can be concise but not precise, or precise but not concise.
