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 wrong thing to do

not exactly what I had in mind

2

: quite so

—used to express agreement

Synonyms

• 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

With exactly 11 minutes remaining, Walker dumped a screen pass off to O’Brien. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

And often, that was exactly how forgeries were eventually demolished. —JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025

That means leaning on local law enforcement for support in training and preparedness drills, so teachers and administrators know exactly what to do under pressure. —Pioneer Press Elections Team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025

That’s exactly what the Crafted in a Mercedes audio concept proposes to do. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

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