An inaccuracy is a mistake or error that makes something not quite right or not exactly correct. When a news article contains an inaccuracy, it includes a fact that isn't true, even if the reporter didn't mean to get it wrong. When someone describes an event with a few inaccuracies, their story is mostly correct but gets some details wrong.

Inaccuracies can be small or large. A map with an inaccuracy might show a river in slightly the wrong place. A history report might contain inaccuracies if it gets dates mixed up or misspells important names. The word suggests something more serious than a tiny typo but less serious than a deliberate lie.

Notice that inaccuracy is different from dishonesty. Someone can be completely honest but still make inaccurate statements because they remembered something wrong or didn't check their facts carefully. A witness to an accident might report it with some inaccuracies simply because everything happened so fast.

When scientists conduct experiments, they work hard to minimize inaccuracies in their measurements. When you're working on a math problem, checking your work can help you catch any inaccuracies before you turn it in.