exactly

adverb

ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē 

1

a

: in a manner or measure or to a degree or number that strictly conforms to a fact or condition

it's exactly 3 o'clock

these two pieces are exactly the same size

b

: in every respect : altogether, entirely

that was exactly the wrong thing to do

not exactly what I had in mind

2

: quite so

—used to express agreement

Synonyms

• due
• full
• just
• precisely
• right
• sharp
• smack-dab
• squarely

Examples of exactly in a Sentence

The levers need to be exactly positioned.

we will meet at exactly six o'clock

Recent Examples on the Web

Ordinary suburban houses are filled with electronic devices and equipment that can sometimes emit electromagnetic noise at exactly the frequencies that radio telescopes aim to detect. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024

The more Beijing believes that the United States is trying to weaken Chinese influence by driving a wedge between China and North Korea, the more valuable North Korea becomes to China—which may be exactly Pyongyang’s calculus. —Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

That’s exactly what Detroit — trailing 23-7 — needed. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024

Avoid fatalistic thinking Although the country has clarity on its next president, there are still plenty of unknowns about what exactly will unfold over the next four years. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

exact entry 2 + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing exactly

• my sentiments exactly
• not exactly

Kids Definition

exactly

adverb

ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē 

1

a

: in an exact manner

do exactly as you're told

b

: so as to match fact or a state

at exactly three o'clock

exactly the same size

c

: in every way : altogether

that was exactly the wrong thing to do

not exactly what I had in mind

2

: quite so : just as you say

—used to express agreement