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"So you think the system is outdated?"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

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

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

To critics, who cite the bureau’s tradition of independence, that is precisely the concern. —Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 24 Feb. 2025

Rear-axle steering and PTV work seamlessly in the background to ensure the chassis goes precisely where intended, and the brakes haul everything to a stop without drama (kudos to Porsche for such an extraordinary pedal feel underfoot). —Michael Harley, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Putin never saw the sanctions coming—and that was precisely the problem. —Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025

For those on the night side of Earth, a clear sky is arguably the only important factor for visibility, since any location with the moon high in the sky will have precisely the same view. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for precisely

• concisely
• nicely