not exactly
idiom
informal
1
—used in speech as a mild way of saying "no" especially to indicate that what someone has said is not completely correct or true
"He's your boss, isn't he?" "Not exactly."
"Did everything go the way you planned it?" "Not exactly."
2
—used as a humorous or ironic way to say "not"
He's not exactly the smartest guy I've ever met.
Examples of not exactly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ross is not exactly a popular guy in the MCU these days.
—
Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
My home state is not exactly teeming with wild turkeys, but our ongoing restoration program is making great strides toward changing that.
—Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Sherlock and Amelia are not exactly mentor and mentee, but something less interesting and indistinct.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Their opposition was not exactly a profile in courage.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025
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Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
My home state is not exactly teeming with wild turkeys, but our ongoing restoration program is making great strides toward changing that.
—Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Sherlock and Amelia are not exactly mentor and mentee, but something less interesting and indistinct.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Their opposition was not exactly a profile in courage.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for not exactly
Cite this Entry
“Not exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20exactly. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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