accurato

Accurato is an Italian adjective meaning precise, exact, or careful. It is used to describe things that have a high degree of correctness or thoroughness, such as measurements, descriptions, work results, or observations. The term can refer to both objects and people when emphasizing meticulousness or careful handling.

Etymology and related forms: accurato derives from Latin roots associated with care and precision and has evolved into Italian with the sense of performing tasks with scrupulous attention. Related nouns include accuratezza (accuracy) and accuratezza in some contexts, while the adverbial form is accuratamente (carefully, with precision). The basic feminine and plural forms are accurata and accurate, respectively, with masculine singular accurato, plural accurati.

Usage and nuances: In ordinary language, accurato often conveys a practical standard of correctness, as in un conteggio accurato (an accurate count) or una descrizione accurata (an accurate description). In scientific, technical, or journalistic contexts, the term signals reliability and verifiability. It is common to contrast accurato with sinonimi such as preciso (precise), esatto (exact), or meticoloso (meticulous), each carrying slightly different emphasis: accuracy versus precision or thoroughness.

Examples: una rilevazione accurata, dati accurati, una verifica accurata, una ricerca accurata. The adverb form accuratamente is used when describing the manner of an action, e.g., misurare accuratamente. In everyday Italian, choice among accurato, preciso, and esatto depends on whether the focus is on correctness, exactness, or general correctness.

See also: precise, exact, accuracy, accuracy in measurement.