Definition of 'accurate'

Word Frequency

accurate

(ækjʊrət )

1. adjective

Accurate information, measurements, and statistics are correct to a very detailed level. An accurate instrument is able to give you information of this kind.

Police have stressed that this is the most accurate description of the killer to date.

... a quick and accurate way of monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide in the air.

Quartz timepieces are very accurate, to a minute or two per year.

Synonyms: precise, right, close, nice More Synonyms of accurate

accurately adverb

The test can accurately predict what a bigger explosion would do.

Synonyms: precisely, absolutely, unerringly More Synonyms of accurate

Synonyms: precisely, rightly, correctly, closely More Synonyms of accurate

2. adjective

An accurate statement or account gives a true or fair judgment of something.

It is too early to give an accurate assessment of his condition.

They were accurate in their prediction that he would change her life drastically.

accurately adverb [ADVERB with verb]

What many people mean by the word 'power' could be more accurately described as 'control'.

Synonyms: precisely, absolutely, unerringly More Synonyms of accurate

Synonyms: exactly, rightly, closely, correctly More Synonyms of accurate

3. adjective

You can use accurate to describe the results of someone's actions when they do or copy something correctly or exactly.

Marks were given for accurate spelling and punctuation.

...his maliciously accurate imitation of the Prime Minister.

4. adjective

An accurate weapon or throw reaches the exact point or target that it was intended to reach. You can also describe a person as accurate if they fire a weapon or throw something in this way.

The rifle was extremely accurate.

The pilots, however, were not as accurate as they should be.

Synonyms: on target, exact, precise, deadly More Synonyms of accurate

accurately adverb [ADVERB with verb]

...the technology to aim bombs accurately from aircraft.

Synonyms: precisely, absolutely, unerringly More Synonyms of accurate

More Synonyms of accurate

Video: pronunciation of 'accurate'

Word Frequency

accurate in British

(ˈækjərɪt )

adjective

faithfully representing or describing the truth

showing a negligible or permissible deviation from a standard

an accurate ruler

without error; precise; meticulous

4. mathematics

(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

(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

Derived forms

accurately (ˈaccurately)

adverb

accurateness (ˈaccurateness)

noun

Word origin of 'accurate'

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

Word Frequency

accurate in American

(ˈækjərət ; akˈyərət)

adjective

careful and exact

free from mistakes or errors; precise

adhering closely to a standard

an accurate thermometer

SIMILAR WORDS: corˈrect

Derived forms

accurately (ˈaccurately)

adverb

accurateness (ˈaccurateness)

noun

Word origin of 'accurate'

L accuratus, pp. of accurare < ad-, to + curare, to take care < cura, care: see cure

Example sentences containing 'accurate'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Unfortunately, the particular magazine in question also has a long history of being hideously accurate on many occasions. Forbes, Bryan A SONG AT TWILIGHT (2003)The last piece of information Short had given him had proved accurate all right. Telushkin, Josef THE UNORTHODOX MURDER OF RABBI MOSS (2003)The more accurate term, `defeat", would have been too brutal, too Anglo-Saxon. Dobbs, Michael WALL GAMES (2003)

General Rashood's original estimate of the Russian position had been accurate to a degree. Patrick Robinson BARRACUDA 945 (2003)