Precise

//pɹɪˈsaɪs// adj, verb

adj, verb ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To make or render precise; to specify. nonstandard, transitive

    "This proposal for a new basic regulation is justified because there is a need to precise the objectives of the CFP."

Adjective
  1. 1
    Both exact and accurate. broadly

    "precise definition"

  2. 2
    Consistent, clustered close together, agreeing with each other (this does not mean that they cluster near the true, correct, or accurate value).
  3. 3
    Adhering too much to rules; prim or punctilious.
Adjective
  1. 1
    (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth; strictly correct wordnet
  2. 2
    sharply exact or accurate or delimited wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
accurateexactfinemicroscopicpunctiliousrefined

Example

More examples

"The word 'excessive competition' is frequently used in Japanese industry, but there is not a precise definition of the practice."

Etymology

From Middle French précis, from Latin praecīsus, perfect passive participle of praecīdere, from prae- (“before, in front”) + caedere (“cut; strike”), cognate with hit. Related to incise. Doublet of précis.

Related phrases

precising definitionto be precise

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.