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

That’s exactly why Fleetwood Mac stayed together for fifty years. —Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025

But enough of all that tomfoolery, because there is one person on the beach who knows exactly what is about to happen! —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025

Miami police spokesperson Mike Vega confirmed Brown’s apprehension, but declined to elaborate on where or exactly when the former player was taken into custody. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025

But that’s exactly what happened when singer-songwriter Tucker Pillsbury, who goes by Role Model, crossed paths with María Zardoya, the introspective frontwoman of the Marías and the brains behind the solo project Not for Radio. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 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