accuracy
Americannoun
plural
accuracies-
the condition or quality of being true, correct, or exact; freedom from error or defect; precision or exactness; correctness.
-
Chemistry, Physics. the extent to which a given measurement agrees with the standard value for that measurement.
-
Mathematics. the degree of correctness of a quantity, expression, etc.
noun
-
faithful measurement or representation of the truth; correctness; precision
-
physics chem the degree of agreement between a measured or computed value of a physical quantity and the standard or accepted value for that quantity
Other Word Forms
- hyperaccuracy noun
Etymology
Origin of accuracy
First recorded in 1655–65; accur(ate) + -acy
Explanation
Accuracy refers to a lack of mistakes or errors. "I type very fast, but the accuracy of my typing is n't very goode." Accuracy is a must for anyone who works in a precise profession. Would you trust a surgeon who lacks accuracy to remove your appendix? His lack of precision might result in the accidental removal of your spleen. A meteorologist with questionable accuracy isn't going to be popular either, especially when it rains every time he predicts a sunny day.
Vocabulary lists containing accuracy
The Scientific Method
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Word Generation Science - Measurement
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fidelity is essentially a measure of accuracy that gauges how reliably a quantum system calculates the correct outcome.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
It was the human-AI interaction that made things unravel as the accuracy fell to 35% - two thirds of the time people were getting the wrong diagnosis or care.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
AI deepfakes have been rapidly improving in accuracy and modalities, allowing hackers to easily create large volumes of highly personalized scams with just a few prompts.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026
The improved accuracy appears to come from how quantum computers process information.
From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026
Anyone can file letters and make entries in a sales book, but we do it with remarkable accuracy.
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
