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

That’s exactly the transformation Ashley Berges invites you to explore. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 15 June 2025

What if leaning into uncertainty is exactly what allows the best ideas, deepest collaboration, and most authentic leadership to emerge? —Melanie Hughes, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

Yet, each of them holds a narrow, hyper-specific ideal in mind for exactly what their future partner should be like. —Abigail Lee, Variety, 14 June 2025

One other historical fact from Elias Sports Bureau in Scott’s favor: The winners of the last two US Opens at Oakmont started the third round four shots behind the leader – exactly Scott’s deficit as the sun came up on Saturday. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

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

Rhymes for exactly

• abstractly

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