exactly

ex-act-ly · adverb

imported

Definitions

adverb

  1. 1.

    Without any difference or error; precisely.

  2. 2.

    Used to emphasize the accuracy of a statement.

  3. 3.

    Used to express agreement or to confirm something.

  4. 4.

    Used in negative sentences to mean "not quite" or "not really."

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    exactly right — Completely correct.
  • •
    not exactly — Not quite; somewhat different from.
  • •
    exactly the same — Identical in every way.

Related words

Antonyms: approximately, inexactly, roughly
See also: accurately, correct, just, precisely
Synonyms: accurately, correctly, just, precisely

Etymology

From Latin exactus ("precise"), past participle of exigere ("to drive out, demand"), from ex- ("out") + agere ("to drive"). The English suffix -ly was added.