accurately
gb/ˈækjɚɪtli/ us/ˈækjɚɪtli/
B1
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in a correct and exact way
In a way that is correct and has all the right details.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] [something] accurately
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "accurate" (adjective) and "accurately" (adverb). Use "accurate" before a noun ("an accurate report") and after linking verbs like "be" ("The report is accurate"), but use "accurately" to describe HOW an action is done ("He reported the facts accurately"). Another mistake is to overuse "exactly" where "accurately" is better in formal or technical writing; "accurately" is preferred when talking about measurements, data, or reports.
Synonyms
correctly (Very close in meaning; the most general everyday alternative, but can sound slightly less focused on fine detail than "accurately" in technical contexts.)
|
precisely (Suggests very small detail and exactness; often used for numbers or measurements and can sound slightly more formal or technical.)
|
exactly (Stresses being the same as something else with no difference; often used in speech, sometimes more informal or emphatic than "accurately".)
Antonyms
inaccurately (Direct opposite; means that something is not correct and may contain errors.)
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roughly (Focuses on giving only an approximate idea, not caring about small details or full correctness.)
Collocations
measure accurately
|predict accurately
|describe accurately
|remember accurately
|report accurately
|estimate accurately
Themes
communication
|science
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The story in the film does not accurately reflect what really happened.
- Scientists must record the temperature accurately during the experiment.
- The translator tried to convey the joke as accurately as possible.
- I can’t accurately remember what time he arrived.
- The report accurately describes the problems facing the company.
Learner examples
- She answered all the questions accurately.
- The map shows the city accurately.
- He can accurately tell the time without a watch.
- Please write the numbers accurately on the form.
- The teacher counted the students accurately.
Grammar
Dictionary form
accurately
IPA
GB/ˈækjɚɪtli/
US/ˈækjɚɪtli/
Syllables & stress
ac - cur - ately (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ac)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: accurately
- Plural: accuratelies
Word family
Forms
accuratelies
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
describe accurately
1/dɪskɹˈaɪb ˈækjɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
give a fully correct description
To say or write about something in a way that is fully correct and matches what it is really like.
Examples
- It is hard to describe accurately how beautiful the sunset was.
- The report does not describe accurately what happened during the meeting.
- Witnesses were asked to describe accurately what they had seen.
measure accurately
1/mˈɛʒɚ ˈækjɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
measure something without errors
To find the size, amount, or degree of something in a way that gives the correct number or result.
Examples
- Doctors need to measure accurately how much medicine a patient needs.
- The scale is old and can no longer measure accurately.
- In this experiment, it is important to measure accurately and write down every result.
more accurately
1/mˈɔɹ ˈækjɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
to correct a previous statement
Used when you want to say something again in a way that is closer to the full truth or more exact than what you just said.
Examples
- We all liked the movie—or, more accurately, the first half of it.
- She works in finance, or more accurately, in risk management at a bank.
- It’s not missing, or more accurately, we don’t know where it is yet.
put it more accurately
1/pˈʊt ˈɪt mˈɔɹ ˈækjɚɪtli/
fixed phrase
express something in a more exact way
To say something in clearer and more correct words than before.
Examples
- To put it more accurately, we delayed the launch rather than canceling it.
- Let me put it more accurately: the service is limited, not completely unavailable.
- You could put it more accurately by saying the project is over budget, not a failure.