Unøjagtig

Unøjagtig is a Danish adjective describing something that is not accurate or precise. It is used for statements, measurements, data, or representations that lack exactness or reliability. The form is built from the prefix un- attached to nøjagtig (accurate), with un- functioning as a negation that signals the opposite of precision.

The word is common in everyday language as well as in professional contexts such as journalism, science, and statistics. Examples include en unøjagtig påstand (an inaccurate claim), unøjagtige målinger (imprecise measurements), or upræcis data (imprecise data). The adverb form is unøjagtigt, used to describe how something is done, for example målingen blev udført unøjagtigt (the measurement was carried out inaccurately). Antonyms include nøjagtig, præcis, and eksakt; related terms include upræcis (imprecise) and misvisende (misleading) in some contexts.

Nuance and usage: unøjagtig emphasizes lack of precision or detail rather than outright falsehood. It does not always mean something is completely wrong, but that its level of accuracy is insufficient for the intended purpose. The word is versatile across domains, from everyday speech to technical writing.

Etymology: unøjagtig is formed from the negating prefix un- combined with nøjagtig (exact/precise), a pattern common in Danish to create opposites of adjectives.

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