exact

[ig-zakt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exact ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

strictly accurate or correct: an exact likeness; an exact description.

precise, as opposed to approximate: the exact sum; the exact date.

admitting of no deviation, as laws or discipline; strict or rigorous.

capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.

characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.

Mathematics. (of a differential equation) noting that the collection of all terms, equated to zero, is an exact differential.

verb (used with object)

to call for, demand, or require: to exact respect from one's children.

to force or compel the payment, yielding, or performance of: to exact money; to exact tribute from a conquered people.

Origin of exact

1400–50; late Middle English exacten (v.) < Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere drive out, thrust out), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + ag(ere) to drive + -tus past participle suffix

Related formsex·act·a·ble, adjectiveex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, nounex·act·ness, nounnon·ex·act·a·ble, adjectivepre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·act, adjectivequa·si-ex·act·ly, adverbun·ex·act·ed, adjective

Synonyms for exact

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exact ON THESAURUS.COM

3. rigid, severe, unbending. 5. methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous. 8. wring. See extract.

Antonyms for exact

1, 2. imprecise.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for exact

perfect, identical, definite, explicit, specific, literal, rigorous, correct, true, strict, meticulous, scrupulous, exacting, extort, wrest, impose, extract, compel, clear-cut, clear

Examples from the Web for exact

Contemporary Examples of exact

And by the time an airplane was in the water, its exact position would be known.
Red Tape and Black Boxes: Why We Keep ‘Losing’ Airliners in 2014
Clive Irving
December 29, 2014
He will tell you why became a cop with the exact same words used by DePrimo and many of their fellow officers.
Protesters Slimed This Good Samaritan Cop
Michael Daly
December 16, 2014
Behind him stood a flock of fifth-grade boys—and two second-grade girls—all of them wearing the exact same yellow hat.
Even Grade School Kids Are Protesting the Garner Killing Now
Caitlin Dickson
December 6, 2014
Cooper had little Alexis pose for a picture on the exact spot there Garner was pinned.
‘I Can’t Breathe!’ ‘I Can’t Breathe!’ A Moral Indictment of Cop Culture
Michael Daly
December 4, 2014
How a late change in strategy may have sent Democratic volunteers after the exact wrong type of voter.
Did a Flawed Computer Model Sabotage the Democrats?
Ben Jacobs
November 10, 2014

Historical Examples of exact

So certain was he as to the exact locality, that he offered to conduct a party to the place.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
She was in countenance the exact counterpart of the general.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion
William Dobein James
The first relates to the exact period of his residence at Leyden University.
De Libris: Prose and Verse
Austin Dobson
As a matter of exact reasoning, that is quite within the measure of possibility.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
“Be exact in what you say,” Ossipon lectured in the swift motion of the hansom.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

adjective

correct in every detail; strictly accuratean exact copy

precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor lessthe exact sum

(prenominal) specific; particularthis exact spot

operating with very great precisionexact instruments

allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strictan exact mind

based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classificationphysics is an exact science

verb (tr)

to force or compel (payment or performance); extortto exact tribute

to demand as a right; insist uponto exact respect from one's employees

to call for or requirethis work exacts careful effort

Derived Formsexactable, adjectiveexactness, nounexactor or exacter, noun

Word Origin for exact

C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exact

adj.

"precise, rigorous, accurate," 1530s, from Latin exactus "precise, accurate, exact," past participle of exigere "demand, require," literally "to drive or force out," also "demand, finish, measure," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + agere "drive, lead, act" (see act).

mid-15c., from Latin exactus, past participle of exigere (see exact (adj.)). Older in English than the adjective and retaining the literal sense of the Latin source. Related: Exacted; exacting.