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

For diners, this means that no two tasting menus, even at the same restaurant, may be exactly the same; that talked-about dish may be swapped out for something else when the seasons or weather requires. — Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026

Colleges across Central Florida are working to do exactly that. — Taylor Evans, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

On December 5, exactly 12 years to the day Plant bought her first dress worn by Diana, another gown is set to go on auction. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

For viewers of a certain age, Morley’s film reflects exactly what that would mean for a young girl in the doldrum suburbs at a time when James Callaghan was the country’s drab center-right Labour prime minister and unemployment was over 5%. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Nov. 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