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

He’s proven to be exactly what Lincoln-Way West coach Jake Zajc was looking for . —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Mikel Arteta will be expected to field his strongest available side in every league match, which is exactly what FPL managers want to see at this stage of the season. —Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

What that means, exactly, remains an ongoing debate. —Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026

The measure will provide stable, predictable increases in education funding of up to 2 percent annually over 10 years, and mandates a yearly public audit so Coloradans can see exactly where every dollar goes. —Kevin Vick, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 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