Imprecise: meaning, definitions and examples

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imprecise

[ˌɪmprɪˈsaɪs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

measurement

Not exact or accurate.

Synonyms

approximate, inaccurate, rough, vague.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
imprecise	Used when something lacks exactness or detail, often indicating a need for more precision. Her instructions were imprecise, causing confusion among the team
inaccurate	Used when something is not correct or contains errors, often implying a need for correction. Has a negative connotation. The report was filled with inaccurate data, leading to wrong conclusions
vague	Used when something is unclear, ambiguous, or lacks specific details. Her answer was vague and did not provide the needed information
approximate	Used when giving a close estimate or near value, often in measurements or calculations. The approximate distance between the two cities is 100 miles
rough	Used when something is not finely detailed or polished, often used with drafts, estimates, or physical surfaces. He gave a rough estimate of the costs, but it needed refinement

Examples of usage

It was an imprecise estimate of the population.
The imprecise measurements led to errors in the experiment.
The imprecise instructions caused confusion among the team.
The imprecise calculations resulted in a miscalculation of costs.
The imprecise nature of the data made it difficult to draw conclusions.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

language

Not clearly or sharply defined.

Synonyms

ambiguous, indefinite, unclear, vague.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
imprecise	Used when something lacks exactness or accuracy, often in scientific or technical contexts. The measurement was imprecise, leading to flawed results. His imprecise explanation made it difficult to understand the concept.
ambiguous	Describes something that can be interpreted in more than one way, often causing confusion. The instructions were so ambiguous that no one knew what to do. Her answer was ambiguous, making it hard to understand her true intentions.
indefinite	Used to describe something that is not clearly defined or has no specific time, amount, or limit. The project was put on hold for an indefinite period. He gave an indefinite answer about his availability.
unclear	Best used when information is not easily understood or lacks clarity. Her handwriting was so unclear that no one could read it. The terms of the agreement were unclear, leading to disputes.
vague	Describes something that is lacking in detail, often making it difficult to understand the complete picture. He gave a vague description of what happened. The terms of the contract were too vague to provide any clear guidelines.

Examples of usage

His imprecise language left room for interpretation.
The imprecise wording of the contract led to disputes.
The imprecise definitions caused confusion among the students.
The imprecise boundaries of the property resulted in disagreements.
The imprecise terms of the agreement were open to misinterpretation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'imprecisus', meaning 'not cut off or separated' which reflects its lack of precision.
It has been used in English since the late 19th century, often in scientific or technical discussions.
The addition of the prefix 'im-' indicates the opposite of precision, highlighting a lack of exactness.

Science

In scientific contexts, measurements are often reported with a degree of precision; being imprecise can lead to misunderstandings.
The uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics is a key concept that implies limits to precision in measurements.
Imprecision in data collection can result in biased research outcomes, notably in fields like psychology and social sciences.

Language

Using imprecise language can lead to miscommunication, emphasizing the importance of clarity in conversation.
Many idiomatic expressions can be naturally imprecise, such as 'a bunch' or 'a few', which can mean different things to different people.
In poetry, imprecision is often used intentionally to evoke emotions rather than convey exact information.

Technology

In programming, the term 'imprecise' can describe algorithms that generate approximate results instead of exact answers.
Machine learning models may exhibit imprecision due to their reliance on probabilistic data, leading to varying outputs.
GPS technology can sometimes be imprecise, affected by factors like buildings or weather, resulting in location inaccuracies.

Art

Imprecision can be embraced in art, as seen in impressionism, where artists focused on capturing feelings rather than details.
Abstract art often relies on imprecision to evoke thoughts and emotions through shapes and colors, not strict lines.
Artists sometimes intentionally leave elements of their works imprecise to encourage viewer interpretation and interaction.

Translations

Translations of the word "imprecise" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impreciso

🇮🇳 अस्पष्ट

🇩🇪 ungenau

🇮🇩 tidak tepat

🇺🇦 неточний

🇵🇱 niedokładny

🇯🇵 不正確な

🇫🇷 imprécis

🇪🇸 impreciso

🇹🇷 kesin olmayan

🇰🇷 부정확한

🇸🇦 غير دقيق

🇨🇿 nepřesný

🇸🇰 nepresný

🇨🇳 不准确的

🇸🇮 netočen

🇮🇸 óákveðið

🇰🇿 дәл емес

🇬🇪 არაზუსტი

🇦🇿 dəqiq olmayan

🇲🇽 impreciso

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,225, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20222 pickles
20223 reverently
20224 dispenser
20225 imprecise
20226 cannons
20227 radiology
20228 entanglement
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