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
Villeneuve, whose other films include Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, is not exactly known for being sunny — so Goode's vision may come to life onscreen after all.
—
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 June 2025
That’s not exactly the biggest ringing endorsement.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
Like many sports fans these days, A.J. Dillon is locked into the WNBA, but not exactly because of Caitlin Clark.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
In its determination to be surrounded by free-trading allies, the United States has not exactly kept its hands to itself.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
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Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 June 2025
That’s not exactly the biggest ringing endorsement.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
Like many sports fans these days, A.J. Dillon is locked into the WNBA, but not exactly because of Caitlin Clark.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025
In its determination to be surrounded by free-trading allies, the United States has not exactly kept its hands to itself.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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