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)
-
exacts,
present (3rd person singular)
-
exacted,
past participle, past
-
exacting
present participle
-
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
Synonym Usage
See extract.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
exacternoun
-
exactnessnoun
-
exactornoun
-
exactableadjective
-
nonexactableadjective
-
preexactadjective
-
quasi-exactadjective
-
unexactedadjective
-
quasi-exactlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
exactsimple
-
exactssimple
-
have exactedperfect
-
has exactedperfect
-
am exactingprogressive
-
are exactingprogressive
-
is exactingprogressive
-
have been exactingperfect progressive
-
has been exactingperfect progressive
Past
-
exactedsimple
-
had exactedperfect
-
was exactingprogressive
-
were exactingprogressive
-
had been exactingperfect progressive
Future
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
Explanation
If something's exact, it's precise and completely accurate — as opposed to a guess, an estimate, or an approximation. Exact also has the meaning of taking something from someone, often money, and generally only given up with reluctance under the threat of force. The Mob might exact a shakedown from unfortunate businessmen, for example. The word comes from the Latin exactus "exact or accurate," a form of the verb exigere — meaning "to force out or demand," like the Mob demanding its money.
Vocabulary lists containing exact
The Merchant of Venice
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Common Core Grade 5, List 7
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"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, Chapters 1–3
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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.
See Examples For:
Authorities in Seoul and Washington were analysing the missile's exact specifications, it added in a message to news organisations.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
The exact SSI amount depends on factors like where your brother lives, his living arrangements and other income.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
Montrose Search and Rescue and the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team were alerted to the victim, who was in the Bear Canyon area but whose exact location was unknown, officials stated.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Although the exact number of unregistered homes is unknown, Ofsted estimates there are around 900 illegal children's homes operating in England.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
I had seen that exact image before, weeks back when I skipped classes one afternoon to go for a drive with Russell.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
That all-important cold chain exacts a cost from growers and distributors as well.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
It’s never been more challenging and expensive to live in California, a place of great bounty that often exacts in dollars and stress what it offers in opportunity and wondrous beauty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2026
Eliot’s failure at anything like full compliance with Claire’s wishes exacts a price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
The problem with this conception is the opportunity cost it exacts on the American reading public.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025
Maybe Bastian exacts some final vendetta; maybe Frederick goes looking for his only way out.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Well, there are numerous contemporaneous examples of reparation payments exacted by European states, so you tell me.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
The report defines “forced labor” as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
It is unclear if payments are being exacted under the new system.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
Investor morale is now at its lowest point since December 2022, in the aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as surging energy costs exacted a heavy toll on German manufacturers.
From Barron's ● Apr. 21, 2026
Otto exacted a minor revenge by eating the two he could catch.
From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer
Anderson’s score work is planned to exacting detail.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
His reputation as an exacting director precedes him.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
Enphase is still working on its design, but is confident it will be able to meet the tech companies’ exacting standards.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
"This action supports the welfare of American children by exacting real consequences for child support delinquency under existing federal law," the department said in a statement.
From BBC ● May 7, 2026
The circus functions in approximations more than exacting details.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
