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"So you think the system is outdated?"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

Researchers have demonstrated a new way to precisely place quantum light sources on chips using DNA origami, offering a potential path toward scalable quantum devices. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026

But the major platform of the Oscars also brings another level of exposition, which is not always beneficial for a documentary director trying to move stealthily and precisely. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026

That is what Emma is doing in this scene by talking to Mark, looking at the floor demurely, and wringing her hands precisely three (3) times. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

What Powell renders so precisely is the dailiness of that care. —Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for precisely

• concisely
• nicely