exactly

adverb

ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē How to pronounce exactly (audio)
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

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
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.
Meanwhile, ideal clients gather around content creators in your niche, hunting for insights exactly like yours. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 Lee’s victory comes exactly six months after the country’s previous leader declared martial law and plunged the nation into chaos. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 But that temporary ceasefire is already under strain amid the accusations and disagreements about what exactly was agreed upon in Geneva. Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025 Nobody really changes, nobody really learns anything and at the start of every episode the characters pretty much exactly the same. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exactly

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exactly was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exactly. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

exactly

adverb
ex·​act·​ly ig-ˈzak-(t)lē How to pronounce exactly (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on exactly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!