precise

[ pri-sahys ]

/ prɪˈsaɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR precise ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed: precise directions.

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.

Nearby words

precipitin, precipitin test, precipitinogen, precipitous, precis, precise, precisely, precisian, precision, precision bombing, precision casting

Origin of precise

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin praecīsus curtailed, brief, orig. past participle of praecīdere to cut off, cut short, equivalent to prae- pre- + -cīsus, combining form of caesus, past participle of caedere to cut

SYNONYMS FOR precise

1 explicit.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR precise ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR precise

1 indefinite, vague.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR precise ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pre·cise·ly, adverbpre·cise·ness, nouno·ver·pre·cise, adjectiveo·ver·pre·cise·ly, adverb

o·ver·pre·cise·ness, nounsu·per·pre·cise, adjectivesu·per·pre·cise·ly, adverbsu·per·pre·cise·ness, nounul·tra·pre·cise, adjectiveun·pre·cise, adjectiveun·pre·cise·ly, adverbun·pre·cise·ness, noun

Can be confused

précis precise

Synonym study

1. See correct.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for precise

The goal is to create a literary anatomy of the last century—or, to be precise, from 1900 to 2014.
The 2014 Novel of the Year|Nathaniel Rich|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I spent half an hour measuring all around the president to get the 27 precise measurements I needed to craft a true custom suit.
From Auschwitz to the White House: One Tailor’s American Tale|Martin Greenfield|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I thought he was very intelligent, very gentle, soft-spoken, precise.
All Eyes on Anjelica Huston: The Legendary Actress on Love, Abuse, and Jack Nicholson|Alex Suskind|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is also striking lack of agreement among doctors about the precise definition of intersex.
Intersexuality and God Through the Ages|Candida Moss|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Precise numbers are hard to come by, but reports indicate that the attacks killed hundreds of people, including children.
The Kardashian Look-Alike Trolling for Assad|Noah Shachtman, Michael Kennedy|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There the precise punctures of a rabbit track dotted the level snow of the woods.
The Secret of the Storm Country|Grace Miller White
Clay, to be precise, is a silicate of alumina, a term which is interesting when it is explained.
The Romance of War Inventions|Thomas W. Corbin
Whitlocke himself, though he afterwards declined the honour as inconvenient, is precise as to the date.
The Life of John Milton, Volume 5 (of 7), 1654-1660|David Masson
It makes no difference as to the precise way in which this sinister efficiency is shown.
African and European Addresses|Theodore Roosevelt
Their precise nature and the date of the inscription describing them have been the subject of much discussion.
Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Charles Eliot

British Dictionary definitions for precise

precise

/ (prɪˈsaɪs) /

adjective

strictly correct in amount or valuea precise sum

designating a certain thing and no other; particularthis precise location

using or operating with total accuracyprecise instruments

strict in observance of rules, standards, etca precise mind

Derived Forms

preciseness, noun

Word Origin for precise

C16: from French précis, from Latin praecīdere to curtail, from prae before + caedere to cut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012