exactly

adverb

ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē 

1

a

: in a manner or measure or to a degree or number that strictly conforms to a fact or condition

It's exactly 3 o'clock.

these two pieces are exactly the same size

b

: in every respect : altogether, entirely

That was exactly the right thing to do.

not exactly what I had in mind

2

: quite so

—used to express agreement

"This is not worth the effort." "Exactly!"

Synonyms of exactly

• just
• right
• precisely

Examples of exactly in a Sentence

The levers need to be exactly positioned.

we will meet at exactly six o'clock

Recent Examples on the Web

Sandy Carter The letter now carries 50, exactly twice as many. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

That panel voted last week in favor of removing restrictions on six peptides marketed for everything from wound healing to opioid withdrawal — exactly the outcome Kennedy desires, provided by people with a direct financial stake in delivering it. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2026

These were exactly the things to hold on to in this life; these were exactly the things which made life so beautiful. — Sheila Heti, New Yorker, 26 July 2026

Rigg said Catholic school officials can’t tell exactly how much of the growth the vouchers are responsible for. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

exact entry 2 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing exactly

• my sentiments exactly
• not exactly

Rhymes for exactly

• abstractly

Kids Definition

exactly

adverb

ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē 

1

a

: in an exact manner

do exactly as you're told

b

: so as to match fact or a state

at exactly three o'clock

exactly the same size

c

: in every way : altogether

that was exactly the wrong thing to do

not exactly what I had in mind

2

: quite so : just as you say

—used to express agreement