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 Google, Anthropic's bet on TPUs is exactly the kind of validation investors have been rewarding, as Wall Street increasingly ties Alphabet's stock run-up to clear demand for its in-house AI chips. —Kif Leswing,mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025

Just ask Bad Bunny, who did exactly that onstage during his concert Wednesday in Mexico. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025

What exactly has changed in the cervical cancer screening guidelines? —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

But that’s exactly what South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown is doing, according to USF CEO of athletics Rob Higgins. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 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