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 right thing to do.
not exactly what I had in mind
2
: quite so
—used to express agreement
"This is not worth the effort." "Exactly!"
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
Considering the quantity of hydrocarbons that are naturally entering Gulf of Mexico waters, what exactly constitutes an environmental disaster?
—
Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Biel played him through, Zaha took it in stride, and the finish — into the far corner on the run — was exactly the kind of moment that frames Charlotte’s problem heading into next week.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Doctors struggled to diagnose exactly what was ailing him.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Another approach would be someone with experience in tanking, if not exactly rushing out to locate Sam Hinkie, just someone with definitive thoughts, and perhaps previous success, with the approach.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
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Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Biel played him through, Zaha took it in stride, and the finish — into the far corner on the run — was exactly the kind of moment that frames Charlotte’s problem heading into next week.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026
Doctors struggled to diagnose exactly what was ailing him.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Another approach would be someone with experience in tanking, if not exactly rushing out to locate Sam Hinkie, just someone with definitive thoughts, and perhaps previous success, with the approach.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exactly
Cite this Entry
“Exactly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exactly. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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