accurate
/ˈæk.jʊ.rɪt/- 1.
Free from mistakes or errors; correctly representing the real facts. An accurate statement, figure, or description matches reality as closely as possible.
- The news article gave an accurate account of what happened.
- Always check that your data is accurate before submitting the report.
- Her memory of the event was surprisingly accurate.
- 2.
Able to produce correct results consistently. Used to describe tools, instruments, or people who hit a target or achieve an intended result without error.
- This digital thermometer is highly accurate within 0.1 degrees.
- The archer was accurate, hitting the target every single time.
Adinary Nuance
Accurate, correct, precise, and exact are close neighbors, but each does a different job. Correct is the most general — it simply means "not wrong." Accurate goes further: it suggests careful matching to reality, especially for facts, measurements, or descriptions. Precise is about the level of detail or sharpness — a precise measurement is very specific, but it can still be inaccurate (for example, a clock that is always three minutes slow is precise but not accurate). Exact is the strongest of the group, implying a perfect match with no acceptable variation at all. For IELTS and academic writing, choose "accurate" when you mean factually correct and true to reality; use "precise" when you want to highlight fineness of detail.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Chính xác
- Spanish
- Exacto
- Chinese
- 准确的
- Japanese
- 正確な
- Korean
- 정확한
Etymology
From Latin "accuratus" (done with care), the past participle of "accurare," meaning "to take care of," built from "ad-" (to) + "cura" (care). The word entered English in the late 16th century, carrying its original sense of careful, thorough attention to detail.
Common phrases
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between accurate and precise?
- Accurate means matching the true or correct value — it's about being right. Precise means very specific or detailed, with little variation. A measurement can be precise (consistently the same) but still be inaccurate (consistently wrong). In everyday English, both words are often used together: 'accurate and precise results.'
- What is the difference between accurate and correct?
- Correct simply means 'not wrong' and is the more general word. Accurate carries a stronger sense of careful, close matching to fact or reality — especially in scientific, academic, or formal contexts. You would say a test answer is 'correct,' but a scientific measurement or a news report is 'accurate.'
- Is 'accurate' a formal word? Can I use it in everyday speech?
- Accurate works in both formal and everyday English. It is common in academic writing, journalism, and professional contexts, but also natural in conversation. Saying 'That's not an accurate description of what happened' sounds perfectly normal in speech.
- Can 'accurate' describe a person, not just information or data?
- Yes. You can call a person accurate when they consistently produce correct results — for example, 'She is an accurate typist' or 'He is an accurate shot.' This use is common in professional and sports contexts.