Precise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /pri-ˈsīs/ pre·cise

Meaning & Definition of Precise

Precise (adjective)

  1. exactly or sharply defined or stated
  2. minutely exact
  3. strictly conforming to a pattern, standard, or convention

Precise (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. meeting the highest standard of accuracy

    "a machine which takes very precise measurements of brain tumors"

    similar: accurate, close, delicate, exact, fine, hairline, mathematical, pinpoint, refined, rigorous, spot-on
    related: correct, right, strict, true, definite, definitive, nice, subtle, careful, fastidious, finical, finicky, meticulous
    opposite: coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough
    near: approximate, round, false, incorrect, untrue, wrong, careless, loose, indefinite, unclear, vague, doubtful, dubious, questionable, unreliable, untrustworthy

  2. being in agreement with the truth or a fact or a standard

    "gave very precise answers to the members of the investigative committee"

    similar: accurate, bang on (chiefly British), correct, dead-on, exact, good, on-target, proper, right, so, spot-on, true, veracious, on target, on the money
    related: legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, rigorous, strict, stringent
    opposite: false, improper, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, off, untrue, wrong
    near: defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect

  3. being neither more nor less than a certain amount, number, or extent

    "gave him the precise amount that he owed him"

    similar: even, exact, flat, round
    near: approximate, comparative, near, relative, imprecise

  4. following an original exactly

    "a precise translation of the original Greek"

    similar: accurate, authentic, exact, faithful, right, strict, true, veracious
    related: lifelike, realistic, careful, conscientious, meticulous, punctilious, scrupulous, authoritative, bona fide, genuine, real, veridical
    opposite: corrupt, corrupted, false, imprecise, inaccurate, inauthentic, inexact, loose, unfaithful
    near: careless, slack, slipshod, slovenly, erroneous, incorrect, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, untruthful, wrong

  5. of a particular or exact sort

    "at that precise moment the lights went out"

    similar: concrete, distinct, especial, express, peculiar, set, special, specific
    related: lone, only, separate, single, sole, solitary, distinctive, exclusive, individual, unique, limited, restricted, differentiated, specialized, given, specified
    opposite: nonspecific
    near: general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Precise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Precise:

Chiefly British: bang on
accurate, close, delicate, exact, fine, hairline, mathematical, pinpoint, refined, rigorous, spot-on, correct, dead-on, good, on-target, proper, right, so, true, veracious, even, flat, round, authentic, faithful, strict, concrete, distinct, especial, express, peculiar, set, special, specific, on target, on the money

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Precise

Words with the opposite meaning of Precise:

coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough, false, improper, incorrect, off, untrue, wrong, corrupt, corrupted, inauthentic, loose, unfaithful, nonspecific

Related Words for Precise

definite, definitive, nice, subtle, careful, fastidious, finical, finicky, meticulous, legitimate, logical, sound, valid, errorless, faultless, flawless, impeccable, inerrant, infallible, letter-perfect, perfect, stringent, lifelike, realistic, conscientious, punctilious, scrupulous, authoritative, bona fide, genuine

Near Antonyms of Precise

approximate, round, careless, indefinite, unclear, vague, doubtful, dubious, questionable, unreliable, untrustworthy, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, comparative, near, relative, slack, slipshod, slovenly, erroneous, invalid, unsound, untruthful, general, generalized, generic, nonexclusive, universal

Word Forms of Precise

Derived words: preciseness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Precise

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

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Precise

Words & Phrases Containing Precise

to be precise

Frequently Asked Questions about Precise

What does "Precise" mean?

"Precise" means exactly or sharply defined or stated. As an adjective, it is defined as: exactly or sharply defined or stated. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Precise"?

Other words for "Precise" include accurate, close, delicate, exact, fine, hairline, mathematical and pinpoint. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Precise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Precise"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Precise". Common alternatives include accurate, close, delicate, exact, fine, hairline, mathematical, pinpoint, refined and rigorous.

What is the opposite of "Precise"?

Antonyms of "Precise" include coarse, imprecise, inaccurate, inexact, rough, false, improper and incorrect. Near antonyms include approximate, round, careless and indefinite.

How do you use "Precise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Precise" in a sentence: "a machine which takes very precise measurements of brain tumors"; "gave very precise answers to the members of the investigative committee"; "gave him the precise amount that he owed him".

Is "Precise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Precise" is an adjective.

Is "Precise" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Precise" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Precise"?

"Precise" is pronounced /pri-ˈsīs/ and divided into syllables as pre·cise.