exact

[ ig-zakt ]

/ ɪgˈzækt /

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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.

Nearby words

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

SYNONYMS FOR exact

3 rigid, severe, unbending.

5 methodical, careful, punctilious, demanding, scrupulous.

8 wring. See extract.

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ANTONYMS FOR exact

1, 2 imprecise.

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Related forms

ex·act·a·ble, adjectiveex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, nounex·act·ness, nounnon·ex·act·a·ble, adjective

pre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)qua·si-ex·act, adjectivequa·si-ex·act·ly, adverbun·ex·act·ed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
I don't know the exact nature of them; I only know that he is very much harassed.
London's Heart|B. L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon
I omit Horace Walpole's exact expression, which is more witty than proper.
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745|Mrs. Thomson
She is not able to determine the exact line of her descent, but the blood of three races mingles in her veins.
Twelve Years a Slave|Solomon Northup
No doubt he knew the exact age of the man as well as I did, but it was not for him to have hastened his deposition.
The Fixed Period|Anthony Trollope
When we examine it closely, we find that in many respects it is the exact reverse of our practice.
The Booklover and His Books|Harry Lyman Koopman

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

/ (ɪɡˈzækt) /

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 (1 of 2)

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).

Word Origin and History for exact (1 of 2)

exact

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.

exact

adjective

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of exact

Examples from the Web for exact

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

adjective

verb (tr)

Word Origin for exact

Word Origin and History for exact (1 of 2)

exact

Word Origin and History for exact (1 of 2)

exact