accurate

[ak-yer-it]

adjective

1. free from error or defect; consistent with a standard, rule, or model; precise; exact.

   Synonyms: unerring, true

2. careful or meticulous.

   I need a really accurate proofreader to check this paper before I submit it to the journal.

accurate

/ ˈækjərɪt /

adjective

1. faithfully representing or describing the truth

2. showing a negligible or permissible deviation from a standard

   an accurate ruler

3. without error; precise; meticulous

4. maths

   1. (to n significant digits) representing the first n digits of the given number starting with the first nonzero digit, but approximating to the nearest digit in the final position

      since π = 3.14159…, the approximation 3.1416 is accurate to 5 significant digits.

   2. (to n decimal places) giving the first n digits after the decimal point without further approximation

      π = 3.1415 is in this sense accurate to 4 decimal places

Other Word Forms

• accurately adverb
• accurateness noun
• hyperaccurate adjective
• hyperaccurateness noun
• superaccurate adjective
• superaccurateness noun
• unaccurate adjective
• unaccurateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accurate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin accūrātus “carefully prepared” (past participle of accūrāre ), equivalent to ac- ac- + cūr(a) “care” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of accurate¹

C16: from Latin accūrātus, past participle of accūrāre to perform with care, from cūra care

Synonym Study

See correct.

Example Sentences

With large swathes of the country still without electricity or phone service, it was difficult to gain an accurate assessment of the death toll or the scope of the search and rescue operations needed.

Read more on Barron's

Or is it more accurate to say that events happen in an existing world?

Read more on Science Daily

"This is the biggest database in women's football in video games. We've had to go out and do some real hard work to find this accurate data."

Read more on BBC

The bulk of Lilla’s essay is an accurate accounting of the transformation of conservatism from the Reagan presidency until now.

Read more on Salon

“A full understanding of the Lachman fire response is essential to an accurate accounting of what occurred during the January wildfires,” Bass wrote.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authentic 
• careful 
• correct 
• definite 
• detailed 
• exact 
• factual 
• meticulous 
• proper 
• rigorous 
• scientific 
• skillful 
• solid 
• specific 
• strict 
• systematic 
• true