Accurate vs True

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

Accurate

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 adjective

True

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 adjective

	Accurate	True
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //ˈæk.jʊ.rət// 🇺🇸 //ˈæk.jɚ.ət//	🇬🇧 /["/truː/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/truː/"]/
Meaning	Correct and true in every detail.	Correct or real; not false.
Example	The data must be accurate to ensure reliable results.	The story is true, and I believe every word of it.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Collocations	accurate measurement, accurate data, accurate information, accurate assessment	be, ring, seem, especially, particularly, very, be, feel, remain, absolutely, to, true to your word
Antonyms	inaccurate, wrong, false	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 '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.	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

Is it true?

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

Yes, and it's all the pavilion a true knight needs.

The Pitt › S1 E1

Is it true?

Is it true?

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

Yes, and it's all the pavilion a true knight needs.

True

Frequently asked questions: Accurate vs True

What's the difference between Accurate and True?

Accurate: Correct and true in every detail. True: Correct or real; not false.

Which is more advanced: Accurate and True?

Accurate is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Accurate and True the same CEFR level?

Accurate: B2, True: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Accurate and True?

Accurate: adjective, True: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Accurate: The data must be accurate to ensure reliable results. True: The story is true, and I believe every word of it.

Can I use Accurate and True interchangeably?

Not always. Accurate 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.