1
Core quality
Not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
Example
The map is useful but imprecise near the northern border.
imprecise
/ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs/ · im-prih-SYSEadjective
Not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
Use imprecise to express this relationship precisely: not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
What imprecise Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Imprecise wording allowed several interpretations.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
The early estimate was necessarily imprecise.
Use imprecise Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The map is useful but imprecise near the northern border.
Imprecise wording allowed several interpretations.
The early estimate was necessarily imprecise.
Precision Matters
Imprecise overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
imprecise
vs.Means not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
ambiguous
Means open to more than one reasonable interpretation.
imprecise
vs.Means not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
nebulous
Means vague, unclear, or insufficiently defined.
imprecise
vs.Means not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
explicit
Means stated directly and with complete clarity.
imprecise
vs.Means not expressed, measured, or defined with sufficient exactness or accuracy.
unequivocal
Means completely clear and leaving no room for doubt.
Test imprecise in Context
The measurements lack the exactness needed to distinguish small differences.
1
Because the instrument rounds every temperature to the nearest ten degrees, its measurements are too ___ to detect small changes.