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

The way to do it is with judicious use of strong contrast colours, and that’s exactly what Nike has done here, with those pinks, blues and reds underneath the armpits and down the side of the shorts. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 June 2025

Ask yourself: What exactly would this look like at work? —Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Alicea’s first album under Rimas Entertainment, his label since February, is exactly what the title suggests: a marathon of tropical gems. —Luisa Calle, Billboard, 27 June 2025

But this is exactly the kind of cinematic flag-plant that inspires such devotion, and such genuine awe. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 June 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