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

When Lutnick took the stage, his interlocutor asked what exactly was going on with the tariffs. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 21 July 2025

For example, problem one asks students to imagine a triangular grid of dots (like a triangular pegboard) and figure out how to cover all the dots using exactly n straight lines. —Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2025

So what exactly are these tiny insects, and why are they so attracted to us? —Cathy Nelson, Health, 21 July 2025

When their 15-year-old Chihuahua mix Elvis fell ill, Heather and her fiancé knew exactly what to do. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 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