ungenauer

Ungenauer is a German adjective meaning less precise or more inaccurate. It describes something that has a lower degree of accuracy or reliability than expected, such as measurement results, statements, estimates, or instruments. The word’s use is typical in technical, scientific, and analytical writing, as well as in careful reporting, where precision is important.

Etymology: Ungenauer is formed from the prefix un- attached to genau (exact, precise). The comparative form is ungenauer (more inaccurate), and the superlative is am ungenauesten (most inaccurate). The positive form ungenau denotes a lack of precision.

Usage: In technical contexts, ungenauer often refers to results or data with greater uncertainty or error margins. In everyday language, speakers may prefer phrases like weniger präzise or nicht ganz genau for nuance. The term can have a neutral or critical tone depending on context; in evaluative writing it may emphasize shortcomings in measurement, methodology, or reporting.

Examples: Der Messwert ist ungenau. Die ungenauen Messwerte führten zu falschen Interpretationen. Eine ungenauere Schätzung wurde später korrigiert.

Related terms: Ungenauigkeit (the noun for inaccuracy), Genauigkeit (the noun for precision), unpräzise (synonym in some contexts). See also Genau and Präzision for related concepts.