First Known Use: 1596
Dictionary
accurate
adjective ac·cu·rate \ˈa-kyə-rət, ˈa-k(ə-)rət\
: free from mistakes or errors
: able to produce results that are correct : not making mistakes
Full Definition of ACCURATE
1
: free from error especially as the result of care <an accurate diagnosis>
2
: conforming exactly to truth or to a standard : exact <providing accurate color>
3
: able to give an accurate result <an accurate gauge>
— ac·cu·rate·ly \ˈa-kyə-rət-lē, ˈa-k(ə-)rət-, ˈa-k(y)ərt-\ adverb
— ac·cu·rate·ness \-kyə-rət-nəs, -k(ə-)rət-nəs\ noun
See accurate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of ACCURATE
Latin accuratus, from past participle of accurare to take care of, from ad- + cura care
Related to ACCURATE
Synonym Discussion of ACCURATE
correct, rectify, emend, remedy, redress, amend, reform, revise mean to make right what is wrong. correct implies taking action to remove errors, faults, deviations, defects <correct your spelling>. rectify implies a more essential changing to make something right, just, or properly controlled or directed <rectify a misguided policy>. emend specifically implies correction of a text or manuscript <emend a text>. remedy implies removing or making harmless a cause of trouble, harm, or evil <set out to remedy the evils of the world>. redress implies making compensation or reparation for an unfairness, injustice, or imbalance <redress past social injustices>. amend, reform, revise imply an improving by making corrective changes, amend usually suggesting slight changes <amend a law>, reform implying drastic change <plans to reform the court system>, and revise suggesting a careful examination of something and the making of necessary changes <revise the schedule>.
correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error <correct answers> <socially correct dress>. accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care <an accurate description>. exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth <exact measurements>. precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation <precise calibration>. nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice distinctions>. right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing to do>.
correct, accurate, exact, precise, nice, right mean conforming to fact, standard, or truth. correct usually implies freedom from fault or error <correct answers> <socially correct dress>. accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care <an accurate description>. exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth <exact measurements>. precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation <precise calibration>. nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination <makes nice distinctions>. right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault <the right thing to do>.
ACCURATENESS Defined for Kids
accurate
adjective ac·cu·rate \ˈa-kyə-rət\
Definition of ACCURATE for Kids
: free from mistakes : right <an accurate answer>
— ac·cu·rate·ly adverb
Word Root of ACCURATE
The Latin word cūrāre, meaning “to care,” gives us the root cur. Words from the Latin cūrāre have something to do with giving care. A cure, something that heals sickness, is something that cares for someone's health. Anything accurate has been carefully measured or supplied so that it is free from mistakes. A curator is a person who cares for the things in a museum.
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