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

In April, the HKMA granted exactly two licenses, to HSBC and to Anchorpoint, the Standard Chartered, Animoca and HKT venture, both for Hong Kong dollar coins first. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Zero would mean exactly the same players playing exactly the same share of minutes; 100 per cent reflects an entirely new team. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

And, anyway, hurt feelings, anger—that was exactly what would not matter to him, there in the groovy beyond. — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Grand Central Area detectives on Sunday were working to figure out exactly what led up to the shooting and who opened fire. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 9 Aug. 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