Dictionary

precise

adjective pre·cise \pri-ˈsīs\

: very accurate and exact

—used to refer to an exact and particular time, location, etc.

: very careful and exact about the details of something

Full Definition of PRECISE

1
:  exactly or sharply defined or stated
2
:  minutely exact
3
:  strictly conforming to a pattern, standard, or convention
4
:  distinguished from every other <at just that precise moment>
pre·cise·ness noun
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of PRECISE

Middle English, from Middle French precis, from Latin praecisus, past participle of praecidere to cut off, from prae- + caedere to cut
First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of PRECISE

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>.
PRECISE Defined for Kids

precise

adjective pre·cise \pri-ˈsīs\

Definition of PRECISE for Kids

1
:  exactly stated or explained <He gave precise instructions.>
2
:  very exact :  accurate <The clay for glaze was mixed in precise proportions with water and wood ash. — Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard>
3
:  being exactly the one mentioned or indicated and no other <At that precise moment, the telephone rang.>
pre·cise·ly adverb

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: preciselyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: précisAll Words Near: precise
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears