Inaccurate: meaning, definitions and examples

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inaccurate

[ɪnˈækjərət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

description

Not accurate or precise; not exact.

Synonyms

false, imprecise, incorrect, untrue, wrong.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inaccurate	Use when information or details are not precise or exact. The report was inaccurate and needed corrections. Her measurements were inaccurate and did not meet the required standards.
incorrect	Use when something is wrong or not correct, especially in the context of facts or answers. Your answer is incorrect; the capital of France is Paris, not London. The data entered into the system was incorrect.
wrong	A more general term for anything that is not correct or proper. It can be used in various contexts, including moral and factual errors. It's wrong to cheat on a test. You took the wrong turn at the intersection.
imprecise	Use when describing something that lacks exactness or clarity, but not intended to be deceptive. The instructions were imprecise and led to confusion. Her description was too imprecise to be helpful.
untrue	Use for statements or claims that are not true or factual. Can imply a lack of truth. The rumors about his resignation were untrue. It's untrue that she doesn't care about her work.
false	Use when information or a statement is deliberately untrue or meant to deceive. He gave a false name to the police. The news article was full of false information.

Examples of usage

The information provided was inaccurate and misleading.
Her description of the event was inaccurate.
The weather forecast turned out to be inaccurate.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

measurement

In a way that is not accurate or precise.

Synonyms

imprecisely, incorrectly, wrongly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inaccurate	Use 'inaccurate' to describe something that lacks precision or is not correct in detail. It is commonly used in formal contexts such as reports, scientific discussions, and technical explanations. The results of the experiment were inaccurate due to a calibration error. His description of the event was inaccurate and misleading.
incorrectly	Use 'incorrectly' to indicate that something is done in a wrong or erroneous manner. It is suitable for general use and can describe a variety of incorrect actions or states. He answered the question incorrectly and lost points on the test. The form was filled out incorrectly, so it had to be resubmitted.
imprecisely	Use 'imprecisely' to describe an action that is done without accuracy or exactness. It often applies to methods, measurements, or spoken accounts. The measurements were taken imprecisely, leading to errors in the report. She explained the process imprecisely, making it hard to follow.
wrongly	Use 'wrongly' to denote an action that is morally or factually incorrect. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying a judgment of right versus wrong. She was wrongly accused of stealing. He wrongly assumed that she would be okay with the changes.

Examples of usage

He estimated the distance inaccurately.
She painted the picture inaccurately.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'inaccuratus', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'accuratus' means 'precise'.
It began being used in English around the late 17th century to describe something not careful or exact.
The prefix 'in-' makes the word negative, indicating the absence of accuracy.

Science

In scientific research, inaccuracies can lead to incorrect conclusions, making it crucial for data to be precise.
Measurement errors can categorize results as inaccurate, impacting areas like physics and chemistry.
The concept of accuracy plays a vital role in statistics, affecting how data analyses inform decisions.

Education

In education assessments, students can score inaccurately if misunderstood instructions or questions.
Teachers often emphasize the importance of accuracy in math and science to develop critical thinking skills.
Educational tools often use accuracy metrics to gauge student performance and learning outcomes.

Technology

In the world of technology, data inaccuracies can lead to software bugs and system failures.
GPS devices can sometimes give inaccurate location information due to satellite signal interferences.
Artificial Intelligence relies on accurate data; if it’s inaccurate, the AI’s decisions may be flawed.

Psychology

Cognitive biases can make people perceive information inaccurately, leading to incorrect beliefs.
Inaccurate memory recall is a phenomenon where people remember events differently from how they actually occurred.
The term 'false memory' describes a situation where someone recalls events inaccurately, impacting their beliefs.

Translations

Translations of the word "inaccurate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impreciso

🇮🇳 असत्य

🇩🇪 ungenau

🇮🇩 tidak akurat

🇺🇦 неточний

🇵🇱 niedokładny

🇯🇵 不正確な (ふせいかくな)

🇫🇷 inexact

🇪🇸 inexacto

🇹🇷 yanlış

🇰🇷 부정확한 (bujeonghwaghan)

🇸🇦 غير دقيق

🇨🇿 nepřesný

🇸🇰 nepresný

🇨🇳 不准确 (bù zhǔn què)

🇸🇮 netočen

🇮🇸 óáreiðanlegur

🇰🇿 дәл емес

🇬🇪 არაზუსტი

🇦🇿 dəqiq olmayan

🇲🇽 inexacto

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,657 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9654 imitate
9655 feather
9656 futile
9657 inaccurate
9658 hooks
9659 installing
9660 venerable
...