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

To figure out exactly how much to use in baking recipes, measure out about three to four tablespoons per egg needed. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

So kudos to the R-I-Z-G-O-D RizGod Baby for acknowledging exactly that. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025

From Holy Stone to DJI to Potensic, he's seen and tested them all, and knows exactly what makes a solid model. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Wyatt appears to have suffered something really significant, but the Packers have yet to reveal exactly what happened. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 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