to be exact
idiom
—used to indicate that a statement is accurate and specific
that afternoon, June 22, to be exact
They had many children—seven, to be exact.
He came a long way—from Nome, Alaska, to be exact—to attend the wedding.
Examples of to be exact in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a recent outfit roundup on Instagram, the actress showcased a toasty sweater — the G. Label by Goop Cuffed Turtleneck, to be exact.
—
Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Pitchers and catchers report in five weeks — Feb. 10, to be exact.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
And, in some cases, their pets — six dogs and two cats, to be exact.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Looking at data from 2023, released on May 10, nearly a quarter of the names inside the top 100 were 5 letter girl names — 20, to be exact.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for to be exact 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Pitchers and catchers report in five weeks — Feb. 10, to be exact.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
And, in some cases, their pets — six dogs and two cats, to be exact.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
Looking at data from 2023, released on May 10, nearly a quarter of the names inside the top 100 were 5 letter girl names — 20, to be exact.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for to be exact
Dictionary Entries Near to be exact
Cite this Entry
“To be exact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/to%20be%20exact. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share