precise
Americanadjective
-
definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed.
precise directions.
- Synonyms:
- explicit
- Antonyms:
- vague, indefinite
-
being exactly that and neither more nor less.
a precise temperature;
a precise amount.
-
being just that and no other.
the precise dress she had wanted.
-
definite or exact in statement, as a person.
-
carefully distinct.
precise articulation.
-
exact in measuring, recording, etc..
a precise instrument.
-
excessively or rigidly particular.
precise observance of regulations;
precise grooming.
adjective
-
strictly correct in amount or value
a precise sum
-
designating a certain thing and no other; particular
this precise location
-
using or operating with total accuracy
precise instruments
-
strict in observance of rules, standards, etc
a precise mind
Synonym Usage
See correct.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of precise
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin praecīsus “curtailed, brief,” originally past participle of praecīdere “to cut off, cut short,” equivalent to prae- pre- + -cīdere, combining form of caedere “to cut”
Explanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing precise
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Hatchet
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The Cay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Precise details of the deal and how Canada would manage Chinese imports are scarce.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026
Precise numbers are hard to verify, but the clubs appear to be spreading, according to The Counter Extremism Project, the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center and my own research.
From Salon • Aug. 27, 2025
Precise comparisons with diesel or gasoline are difficult and depend on use.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2024
Precise evaluations of such curves provide information about the size and orbital period of the planet.
From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2024
Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan wrote: “Yes, indeed, Bobby is back! A flawlessly handled game. Precise to the last moment.”
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
