Imprecise
/ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Imprecise describes something that is not exact or clear. It means there is some uncertainty or lack of detail, so the information or description may be vague or not perfectly correct.
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See It in Action
Not exact or detailed enough
- •His explanation was imprecise, so I didn’t fully understand the idea.
- •The measurements were imprecise, causing problems in the project.
- •She gave an imprecise answer to the question.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "imprecise" like "not clear," but more about details being wrong or missing, not just hard to see or hear.
- ✓Picture a blurry photo where you can see shapes but not sharp lines or details.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone gives directions but they are missing important parts, so you get confused.
- ✓Sounds like "im-pre-SIZE" → imagine trying to measure something but your numbers are not exact, so the size is unclear.
- ✓Remember a teacher saying "Your answer is imprecise" when it misses important facts or exact numbers.
- ✓NOT like "wrong" (which means completely incorrect), "imprecise" means close but not exact.
- ✓NOT like "vague" (which means unclear in general), "imprecise" focuses on a lack of exactness or accuracy.
- ✓NOT like "accurate" (which means very exact and correct), "imprecise" is the opposite.
Try Other Words
- •Inaccurate: not correct or exact (Use when something is wrong or has mistakes)
- •Vague: not clear or detailed (Use when information is general or hard to understand)
- •Approximate: close but not exact (Use when you want to say something is near the right value but not exact)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "im-" (not) + root "precise" (exact, clear)
- •Etymology: From Latin "praecīsus" meaning "cut off, exact," with "im-" added to mean "not exact"
- •Historical development: "Precise" used since the 15th century meaning exact or clear; "imprecise" developed as opposite meaning not exact
- •Modern usage: Used in everyday speech, science, and writing to describe unclear or not exact information or actions
Reflect & Connect
•When can being imprecise be acceptable or even helpful in communication?
•How does being imprecise affect trust or understanding in different situations like science versus everyday talk?
Fill in the blanks
1.The instructions were imprecise, so many people ___ the steps wrong.
2.When measurements are imprecise, the final product may ___ to fit properly.
3.Saying "about ten" is imprecise because it lacks an ___ number.
4.She gave an imprecise answer ___ because she was unsure of the facts.
5.Unlike precise directions, imprecise ones often cause ___.
6.Scientists try to avoid imprecise data because it ___ their results.
7.If a description is imprecise, you might ___ what the object actually looks like.