exact
Americanadjective
-
strictly accurate or correct.
an exact likeness; an exact description.
- Antonyms:
- imprecise
-
precise, as opposed to approximate.
the exact sum; the exact date.
- Antonyms:
- imprecise
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulous, demanding, punctilious, careful, methodical
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- wring
adjective
-
correct in every detail; strictly accurate
an exact copy
-
precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor less
the exact sum
-
(prenominal) specific; particular
this exact spot
-
operating with very great precision
exact instruments
-
allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strict
an exact mind
-
based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classification
physics is an exact science
verb
-
to force or compel (payment or performance); extort
to exact tribute
-
to demand as a right; insist upon
to exact respect from one's employees
-
to call for or require
this work exacts careful effort
Related Words
See extract.
Other Word Forms
- exactable adjective
- exacter noun
- exactness noun
- exactor noun
- nonexactable adjective
- preexact adjective
- quasi-exact adjective
- quasi-exactly adverb
- unexacted adjective
Etymology
Origin of exact
First recorded in 1525–45; late Middle English exacten (verb), from Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere “drive out, thrust out”), equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + ag(ere) “to drive” + -tus past participle suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There is no exact figure for the number of ballots seized, however 1,000 boxes were estimated to contain 650,000 ballots.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
Journalists who cover aviation, defense and foreign policy were drawing that exact conclusion at the same time as Reddit users.
From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026
Others, however, pointed out that the exact speed at which traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would resume — a key issue for global markets — remained unclear.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
While scientists have long understood that proton-shuttling occurs, the exact molecular details have remained unclear.
From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026
“It’s not very exact but it’s the closest we’re going to get!”
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
