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

• due
• full
• just
• precisely
• right
• sharp
• smack-dab
• squarely

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

Officials are unsure of where exactly Cosmos 482 will land. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 May 2025

What, exactly, the Republican Party stands for in terms of economic policy in the second Trump administration is a question reaching an inflection point. —Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025

The answer is simple: Universities are doing exactly what they were designed to do. —James Unnever, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025

No Panther wanted to say exactly what all knew: Must win. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 10 May 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