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

The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended. —Dan Zaksheske, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

Sophie Hortman says those stories are exactly why her family became so committed to Helping Paws. —Derek James, CBS News, 14 June 2026

The crowd of supporters didn't cheer, exactly – rather, a murmur ran through the crowd. —Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 14 June 2026

Wouldn’t exactly say that for how the rest of the night ended up. —Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 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