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 precisely

But perhaps it is precisely for this reason that the rediscovery of Dietrich von Hildebrand could not come at a better time.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler|John Henry Crosby|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Sony Hack is precisely the sort of thing that would be made into a Hollywood movie—if it weren't happening to Hollywood.
Sony Hack: The Movie|The Daily Beast Video|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet that is precisely what President Obama and more specifically the immigration lobby is asking Americans to do.
The Progressive Case Against Birthright Citizenship|Keli Goff|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His deficiencies and self-doubts, amid his epochal mission of liberation, are precisely what make him interesting.
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But the issue for them is, precisely, the matter of their land.
China’s Nicaragua Canal Could Spark a New Central America Revolution|Nina Lakhani|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it is precisely here that the peculiarity of St. John's mode of thought comes in.
The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Revelation|William Milligan
This is precisely the predicament in which many thousand people are today.
Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses|M. G. Kains
The folds of his loose cravat, I found to be precisely those of Mr. Groggles's cravat.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VII, December 1850, Vol. II|Various
Yet this is precisely parallel with using gold, or any other article of merchandise, as a measure of value.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 81, July, 1864|Various
Precisely the same practice, smiting the earth with rods, is employed by those who consult diviners among the Zulus.
Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2)|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for precisely (1 of 2)

precisely

/ (prɪˈsaɪslɪ) /

adverb

in a precise manner

sentence substitute

exactly: used to confirm a statement by someone else

British Dictionary definitions for precisely (2 of 2)

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