Accurate vs Exact vs Precise vs True

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Accurate

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 adjective

Exact

Top 2,000 (common) A2 adjective

Precise

Top 2,000 (common) B2 adjective

True

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 adjective

	Accurate	Exact	Precise	True
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈæk.jʊ.rət// 🇺🇸 //ˈæk.jɚ.ət// Hear Accurate	🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzækt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzækt/"]/ Hear Exact	🇬🇧 /["/prɪˈsaɪs/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/prɪˈsaɪs/"]/ Hear Precise	🇬🇧 /["/truː/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/truː/"]/ Hear True
Meaning	Correct and true in every detail.	Something that is completely correct or precise.	Exact and clear without mistakes.	Correct or real; not false.
Example	The data must be accurate to ensure reliable results.	I need the exact amount of money for the purchase.	The scientist provided a precise measurement of the chemical reaction.	The story is true, and I believe every word of it.
Register	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A2	B2	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective	adjective	adjective
Collocations	accurate measurement, accurate data, accurate information, accurate assessment	exact location, exact amount, exact match, exact time, exact details	be, become, make something, extremely, incredibly, infinitely, about, in, be, become, make something, extremely, incredibly, infinitely, about, in	be, ring, seem, especially, particularly, very, be, feel, remain, absolutely, to, true to your word
Antonyms	inaccurate, wrong, false	approximate, imprecise, vague	imprecise, vague, general	false, untrue, incorrect
Common mistakes	Confused with 'exact', which means completely correct., Used to describe people instead of information or measurements., Using 'accurate' in a figurative sense where 'close' would be more appropriate.	Confused with 'exactly'; 'exact' is an adjective, while 'exactly' is an adverb., Using 'exact' with countable nouns without an article; e.g., it should be 'the exact answer'., Overusing 'exact' when 'accurate' or 'correct' might be more suitable.	Using 'precise' when 'exact' is more suitable., Confusing 'precise' with 'specific'., Saying 'more precise' instead of 'more precise than'.	Confused with 'truly' as an adverb., 'True' is often misspelled as 'tru'., Used the phrase 'true in' instead of 'true to'.
Usage notes	Used in both formal and informal contexts, 'accurate' is appropriate for discussions requiring precision, like science, data, or personal assessment.	Use 'exact' when you want to emphasize precise details or correctness. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid using it in very casual or slang settings.	Use 'precise' when you want to describe something that is very accurate or detailed. It is appropriate in both everyday and formal contexts, but avoid using it when describing vague or approximate situations.	Used when confirming the accuracy of something. Appropriate in both casual and serious contexts. Avoid in overly casual settings when it may sound too blunt.

See it in real clips

The Pitt › S1 E1

Is it true?

True

Frequently asked questions: Accurate vs Exact vs Precise vs True

What's the difference between Accurate, Exact, Precise, and True?

Accurate: Correct and true in every detail. Exact: Something that is completely correct or precise. Precise: Exact and clear without mistakes. True: Correct or real; not false.

Are Accurate, Exact, Precise, and True the same CEFR level?

Accurate: B2, Exact: A2, Precise: B2, True: A1 on the CEFR scale.

Can I use Accurate, Exact, Precise, and True interchangeably?

Not always. Accurate, Exact, Precise, and True are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.