accurate

[ak-yer-it]

adjective

1. free from error or defect; consistent with a standard, rule, or model; precise; exact.

   Synonyms: unerring, true

2. careful or meticulous.

   I need a really accurate proofreader to check this paper before I submit it to the journal.

accurate

/ ˈækjərɪt /

adjective

1. faithfully representing or describing the truth

2. showing a negligible or permissible deviation from a standard

   an accurate ruler

3. without error; precise; meticulous

4. maths

   1. (to n significant digits) representing the first n digits of the given number starting with the first nonzero digit, but approximating to the nearest digit in the final position

      since π = 3.14159…, the approximation 3.1416 is accurate to 5 significant digits.

   2. (to n decimal places) giving the first n digits after the decimal point without further approximation

      π = 3.1415 is in this sense accurate to 4 decimal places

Other Word Forms

• accurateness noun
• accurately adverb
• hyperaccurate adjective
• hyperaccurateness noun
• superaccurate adjective
• superaccurateness noun
• unaccurate adjective
• unaccurateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accurate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin accūrātus “carefully prepared” (past participle of accūrāre ), equivalent to ac- ac- + cūr(a) “care” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of accurate¹

C16: from Latin accūrātus, past participle of accūrāre to perform with care, from cūra care

Synonym Study

See correct.

Example Sentences

That speculation, which went around social media before Tuesday’s press conference, was pulled straight from someone’s nether regions who has neither access to accurate information nor common sense.

From Salon

But the document marshals this evidence to support the claim that mRNA vaccines, which are designed to produce spike proteins, cause the same harm – which is not accurate.

From Salon

Later that month though, she was told her blood results might not have been accurate and advised to come off the medication immediately.

From BBC

Casting director Kharmel Cochrane defended the decision, and told Deadline: "You really don't need to be accurate. It's just a book. That is not based on real life. It's all art."

From BBC

"Politicians should be accurate in what they say and the prime minister was completely inaccurate in what he said in attacking me in the House of Commons yesterday," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• authentic 
• careful 
• correct 
• definite 
• detailed 
• exact 
• factual 
• meticulous 
• proper 
• rigorous 
• scientific 
• skillful 
• solid 
• specific 
• strict 
• systematic 
• true