adjective
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faithfully representing or describing the truth
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showing a negligible or permissible deviation from a standard
an accurate ruler
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without error; precise; meticulous
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maths
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(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.
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(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
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Synonym Usage
See correct.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of accurate
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin accūrātus “carefully prepared” (past participle of accūrāre ), equivalent to ac- ac- + cūr(a) “care” + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
Something that is accurate is exact and true. It's important to be accurate in the kitchen with your measurements and in the courtroom with your testimony. The adjective accurate comes from the Latin roots ad curare, meaning "to take care," and that is precisely what you do when you make sure something is accurate. You take care to make sure it is perfectly correct: an accurate answer, an accurate headcount, an accurate assessment of the problem. By adding the Latin root in, meaning not, you can make the antonym inaccurate (not accurate).
Vocabulary lists containing accurate
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 1-10
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 1
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List 3
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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.
So it’s not entirely accurate to say that Infantino wanted to sell world soccer’s biggest brand to the Trump family.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
The Environment Agency says the testing regime helps "build a detailed, accurate long-term profile of a site to inform the public's decision of where to visit".
From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026
“I rely on their broadcast for accurate, timely, and trusted local news, breaking weather updates, and essential public safety information,” Illes wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
The Fed views the PCE index — the core rate in particular — as the most accurate barometer of U.S. inflation trends.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
Scientists are limited to studying the information that their instruments record; creating more accurate, more precise instruments is one of the CVO’s main jobs.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
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.
