exactly

exactly
ex|act|ly [ ıg`zæktli ] adverb ***
1. ) no more and no less than a particular amount or time: PRECISELY:
It's exactly three o'clock.
The wood should measure five centimeters exactly.
2. ) in every way or every detail:
The house is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago.
She sounds exactly like her mother.
a ) used for emphasizing that you are referring to a particular thing and no other:
She was standing exactly where you are now.
3. ) SPOKEN used as a reply for saying that you completely agree with someone:
If he'd gone to bed early, he wouldn't be so tired. Exactly!
not exactly SPOKEN
1. ) used for saying that something is slightly different from a particular thing:
It's not exactly a novel, more an extended short story.
2. ) OFTEN HUMOROUS used for emphasizing that someone or something does not have a particular quality:
$300,000 for a picture is not exactly cheap.
She's not exactly the world's greatest singer.
3. ) used for saying that something someone says is not completely right:
You're leaving, aren't you? Not exactly, I'm just going on vacation.
what/where/when etc. exactly
used for asking someone for more details about something:
What exactly did he say?
Where exactly do you live?

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Exactly — Ex*act ly, adv. In an exact manner; precisely according to a rule, standard, or fact; accurately; strictly; correctly; nicely. Exactly wrought. Shak. [1913 Webster] His enemies were pleased, for he had acted exactly as their interests required.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exactly — index faithfully Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • exactly — 1530s, from EXACT (Cf. exact) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Elliptical use for quite right not recorded before 1869 …   Etymology dictionary

  • exactly — [adv] accurately, particularly absolutely, altogether, bang*, carefully, completely, correctly, definitely, explicitly, expressly, faithfully, faultlessly, for a fact, for certain, for sure*, indeed, in every respect, just, literally,… …   New thesaurus

  • exactly — ► ADVERB 1) in exact terms. 2) used to confirm or agree with what has just been said …   English terms dictionary

  • exactly — [eg zakt′lē, igzakt′lē] adv. in an exact manner; accurately; correctly; precisely: also used as an affirmative reply, equivalent to “I agree,” “quite true” …   English World dictionary

  • exactly — adverb 1 used to emphasize that a particular number, amount, or piece of information is completely correct: We were wearing exactly the same clothes. | It s exactly half past five. | exactly where/what/when etc: Tell me exactly what he said. |… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • exactly — [[t]ɪgzæ̱ktli[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADV: usu ADV num, also ADV prep/adv (emphasis) You use exactly before an amount, number, or position to emphasize that it is no more, no less, or no different from what you are stating. Each corner had a guard tower,… …   English dictionary

  • exactly — ex|act|ly W2S1 [ıgˈzæktli] adv 1.) used to emphasize that a number, amount, or piece of information is or should be completely correct in every detail ▪ It s exactly half past five. ▪ The figures may not be exactly right, but they re close enough …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • exactly*/*/*/ — [ɪgˈzæk(t)li] adv 1) no more and no less than a particular amount or time Syn: precisely It s exactly three o clock.[/ex] The wood should measure five centimetres exactly.[/ex] 2) in every way, or in every detail Syn: just She sounds exactly like …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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