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
The justices, too, seemed eager to embrace electronic recording in cases where no court reporter is available and litigants cannot afford to pay for one on their own, repeatedly pressing lawyers on exactly how such a ruling might be written.
—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
As these effects occur simultaneously, researchers have struggled to determine exactly which factor is responsible for changes in exciton behavior.
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Rupendra Brahambhatt,
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So, why exactly might this be an uphill battle for Team England?
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The moment at Kauffman Stadium was part of a reprieve, if not exactly an oasis, at a dismal time for the Royals.
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july 5,
Kansas City Star,
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See All Example Sentences for exactly
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Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
As these effects occur simultaneously, researchers have struggled to determine exactly which factor is responsible for changes in exciton behavior.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
5 July 2026
So, why exactly might this be an uphill battle for Team England?
—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
The moment at Kauffman Stadium was part of a reprieve, if not exactly an oasis, at a dismal time for the Royals.
—
Vahe Gregorian
july 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 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 6 Jul. 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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