not exactly
idiom
informal
1
—used in speech as a mild way of saying "no" especially to indicate that what someone has said is not completely correct or true
"He's your boss, isn't he?" "Not exactly."
"Did everything go the way you planned it?" "Not exactly."
2
—used as a humorous or ironic way to say "not"
He's not exactly the smartest guy I've ever met.
Examples of not exactly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dickens is not exactly lost in Louisville's holiday lore, however.
—
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Dec. 2025
My wedding dress was full-bodied with a long train—not exactly the slim profile conducive to air travel.
—Katie Henwood, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
His gift choice is not exactly surprising.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Crumb has not exactly adapted to these surroundings.
—David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
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Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Dec. 2025
My wedding dress was full-bodied with a long train—not exactly the slim profile conducive to air travel.
—Katie Henwood, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
His gift choice is not exactly surprising.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Crumb has not exactly adapted to these surroundings.
—David Zane Mairowitz, Rolling Stone, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not exactly
Cite this Entry
“Not exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20exactly. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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