Precise Meaning

UK /prɪˈsaɪs/
US /prɪˈsaɪs/
Word Definition
precise meaning

Precise Definition & Usage

adjective

Exact and accurate in detail; not approximate or vague.

Examples

  • "The instructions need to be more precise if we are to complete the task correctly."
  • "She gave a precise description of the suspect to the police."
  • "The measurements must be precise for the construction project to meet standards."
  • "His precise movements as a surgeon were crucial to the success of the operation."
  • "The artist used precise lines to create the intricate pattern."
adjective

Done with careful attention to detail and accuracy.

Examples

  • "Her precise handwriting made it easy to read the notes."
  • "He made a precise cut in the wood using a saw."
  • "The architect's design was a precise interpretation of the client's wishes."
  • "They made precise calculations before setting the launch date."
  • "The chef prepared the dish with precise timing to ensure the flavors melded perfectly."
adjective

Representing or relating to an exact value or result in calculations.

Examples

  • "In mathematics, a precise value is often required for exact solutions."
  • "The formula provided a precise answer for the problem."
  • "Precise measurements are critical in scientific experiments to ensure accuracy."
  • "We need a precise calculation of the costs before we can proceed."
  • "The precise angle of the incline is necessary for accurate results."

Cultural Context

The term 'precise' comes from the Latin 'praecisus', meaning 'cut off', reflecting the idea of something sharply defined and exact. Over time, it evolved to describe anything marked by exactness or careful attention to detail.

The Precision of Art and Science

Story

The Precision of Art and Science

In a quiet, sterile lab, Sarah leaned over her microscope, her fingers hovering over the controls with a steady calm. Every movement had to be precise, each adjustment calculated to ensure the integrity of the experiment. A slight shift of the lens, a turn of the knob—everything had its place. She had spent years training for this very moment, knowing that any error could lead to disastrous results. 'Focus,' she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. As she peered closer, the tiniest details of the specimen revealed themselves. The precision of her measurements was the only thing standing between her and success. In the studio, across town, Leonardo was preparing for his latest masterpiece. The artist’s hands, just as steady as Sarah’s, traced each line of the canvas with exact precision. He had spent days perfecting his technique, knowing that this was no ordinary painting—it was a commission that demanded nothing less than absolute precision. The client had asked for a landscape so realistic that it would almost seem to come alive. Later that evening, Sarah met Leonardo for dinner. Over the meal, they shared their frustrations and triumphs. 'It's all about being precise,' Leonardo said, gesturing with his fork as he explained his latest project. 'In art, every brushstroke must be deliberate, just as in science, every measurement needs to be exact.' Sarah smiled, recognizing the truth in his words. Though their fields were different, the principle was the same: precision was key to achieving excellence. As they parted ways, Sarah looked back at the quiet lab she was leaving behind. Tomorrow, she'd resume her experiments, always striving for that perfect, precise outcome. And Leonardo, meanwhile, would return to his studio, brush in hand, ready to create with the same exactness he had cultivated for years. In both art and science, precision was the path to perfection.

The Precision of Art and Science