precise
Americanadjective
-
definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed.
precise directions.
- Synonyms:
- explicit
- Antonyms:
- vague, indefinite
-
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.
adjective
-
strictly correct in amount or value
a precise sum
-
designating a certain thing and no other; particular
this precise location
-
using or operating with total accuracy
precise instruments
-
strict in observance of rules, standards, etc
a precise mind
Related Words
See correct.
Other Word Forms
- overprecise adjective
- overprecisely adverb
- overpreciseness noun
- precisely adverb
- preciseness noun
- superprecise adjective
- superprecisely adverb
- superpreciseness noun
- ultraprecise adjective
- unprecise adjective
- unprecisely adverb
- unpreciseness noun
Etymology
Origin of precise
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”
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.
His delivery to Yang Hyun-jun was precise and against the flow of the game Celtic were back in front.
From BBC
Knowing the precise path of falling debris helps organizations understand where these particles may travel and which populations could be exposed, the researchers said.
From Science Daily
Be precise about how many meals you’ll need to cook, and what exactly those meals will be.
From MarketWatch
More research is needed to identify the precise molecular components involved in this pathway and to clarify how it controls specific inflammatory signals.
From Science Daily
Instead, an independent review will be announced to looking at precise details.
From BBC
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.
