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

• 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

But then Colby, almost exactly two years older than Riley, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round in 2001. —Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

So who exactly sits on that committee? —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. —Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Edith Hessenberger, director of the Ötztal Museums, told Austrian news outlets that evidence from the materials, locked away under the ice for 80 years, matches almost exactly with historical records from the mission. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 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