exactly

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   With complete accuracy, not more or less than a stated amount or detail.

   Grammar: Goes before the number or detail it describes: exactly ten, exactly right.

   Patterns

   • exactly right
   • exactly the same

   The meeting starts at exactly nine o'clock.

   The two sisters look exactly alike.

   The recipe needs exactly two cups of flour.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Used to emphasize that something is just the right thing, person or kind.

   Grammar: Often with a question word: exactly what, exactly how.

   Patterns

   • exactly what you need
   • exactly where something is

   That is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

   Nobody knew exactly where the keys had gone.

   It is exactly the kind of gift she would love.

3. 3adverbnot comparableinformal

   Used as a reply to say that you completely agree with what someone just said.

   Grammar: Stands alone as a one-word reply: 'Exactly!'

   Patterns

   • Exactly!

   'So we need more time?' 'Exactly.'

   'You mean it is not about the money?' 'Exactly, it is about trust.'

   Exactly, that is what I meant.

4. 4adverbnot comparableinformal

   Used in the negative to mean not completely or not very, often with mild irony.

   Grammar: Appears in not exactly: it is polite or ironic understatement.

   Patterns

   • not exactly something

   The food was not exactly hot, but it was edible.

   He is not exactly a morning person.

   That was not exactly what I ordered.

Common combinations

exactly the same

Their phones are exactly the same.

exactly what

I know exactly what you mean.

at exactly

The train left at exactly noon.

not exactly

The room was not exactly clean.

exactly right

Your answer is exactly right.

Synonyms and how they differ

precisely

Precisely is slightly more formal and can sound sharper than exactly.

just

Just is more casual and less strict, as in just the right size.

absolutely

Absolutely expresses full agreement or certainty but does not measure accuracy.

accurately

Accurately describes how well something is measured or described, not the match to an amount.

Opposites

Word family

exact adjective

completely correct or precise

exactness noun

the quality of being precise

exact verb

to demand and obtain something

inexact adjective

not completely accurate

Commonly confused: exactly or exact?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “exactly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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