imprécise

Imprécise is a feminine French adjective that describes something that lacks precision: not exact, not sufficiently detailed, or difficult to interpret. It can refer to statements, measurements, plans, or descriptions that are unclear, vague, or uncertain. The masculine form is imprécis, and the noun form is imprécision.

Etymology and forms: Imprécise derives from the adjective précis with the negating prefix im-, used before a word beginning with p. The standard forms are imprécis (masculine singular), imprécise (feminine singular), imprécis (plural masculine), and imprécises (plural feminine). The related noun imprécision denotes the state or quality of being imprecise.

Usage: In everyday French, imprécise characterizes statements or data lacking detail or exactness. It is common in report writing, journalism, and analysis to describe results, descriptions, or forecasts as imprécis when key information is missing or measurements are not sufficiently accurate. The term often implies a need for clarification rather than intentional misleadingness. In contrast, precise (précis) or exact terms are used for rigorously defined facts or measurements. The noun imprécision is used to discuss the general concept of lacking precision.

See also: flou, vague, ambigu, incertain, imprécision, précision.

Translations: In English, the equivalent is imprecise.