Definition of not exactly
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.
