precise

[ pri-sahys ]
See synonyms for precise on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed: precise directions.

  2. being exactly that and neither more nor less: a precise temperature;a precise amount.

  1. being just that and no other: the precise dress she had wanted.

  2. definite or exact in statement, as a person.

  3. carefully distinct: precise articulation.

  4. exact in measuring, recording, etc.: a precise instrument.

  5. excessively or rigidly particular: precise observance of regulations;precise grooming.

Origin of precise

1
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”

synonym study For precise

1. See correct.

Other words for precise

Opposites for precise

Other words from precise

  • pre·cise·ly, adverb
  • pre·cise·ness, noun
  • o·ver·pre·cise, adjective
  • o·ver·pre·cise·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·pre·cise·ness, noun
  • su·per·pre·cise, adjective
  • su·per·pre·cise·ly, adverb
  • su·per·pre·cise·ness, noun
  • ul·tra·pre·cise, adjective
  • un·pre·cise, adjective
  • un·pre·cise·ly, adverb
  • un·pre·cise·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with precise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use precise in a sentence

  • This is also the preferred tactic of Ann Coulter, who provokes liberal indignation with Pavlonian preciseness.

  • Seeing we were all harmless, the officer dropped his military preciseness as if it were an ill-fitting garment.

    The Yeoman Adventurer | George W. Gough
  • This attention to your religious duties need not be attended by any preciseness or austerity of manner.

  • It does not appear, however, that such preciseness is justified.

    The Grapes of New York | U. P. Hedrick
  • "Of course it's me," she cried tremulously, and with fine disregard for her habitual preciseness of speech.

    North of Fifty-Three | Bertrand W. Sinclair
  • Norwegians and Danes are like Englishmen, though there is perhaps a little more preciseness and stiffness about their clothes.

    The Heritage of Dress | Wilfred Mark Webb

British Dictionary definitions for precise

precise

/ (prɪˈsaɪs) /


adjective
  1. strictly correct in amount or value: a precise sum

  2. designating a certain thing and no other; particular: this precise location

  1. using or operating with total accuracy: precise instruments

  2. strict in observance of rules, standards, etc: a precise mind

Origin of precise

1
C16: from French précis, from Latin praecīdere to curtail, from prae before + caedere to cut

Derived forms of precise

  • preciseness, noun

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