precisely

adverb

pre·​cise·​ly pri-ˈsīs-lē 

1

: in a precise manner : exactly

weighing ingredients precisely

This incremental adjustment is continued until the bubble is precisely centered.

—Barry F. Kavanagh

—often used to emphasize the precision of something (such as a measurement, time, description, etc.)

The sample weighed precisely 6 ounces.

We arrived at precisely two o'clock.

She always knows precisely what to do.

He was popular precisely because he was so kind.

She always woke at eight precisely.

—P. G. Wodehouse

It is precisely to counter this sort of "negative advertising" that the garbage industry has lately been working hard to change its image.

—Elizabeth Royte

2

: quite so

—used to confirm emphatically that what has been said or suggested is exactly correct

"So you think the system is outdated?" "Precisely."

Synonyms of precisely

• just
• right
• exactly

Examples of precisely in a Sentence

I feel precisely the same way as you do.

measured the length of the board precisely

Recent Examples on the Web

This imbalance is precisely what fuels destructive behaviors like hooliganism, highlighting the importance of character as a stabilizing force in sport and society. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Jennifer discussed cases, real patients, living human beings who are alive precisely because of CRISPR therapies. —Quanta Magazine, 11 June 2026

Versace’s strapless, knee-length satin dress is precisely draped, its folds echoing the movement of water. —Sarah Zendejas, Vogue, 10 June 2026

Beeks was summoned precisely for that lefty-on-lefty matchup. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for precisely

• concisely
• nicely