exact

[ ig-zakt ]
See synonyms for: exactexactedexactingexactness on Thesaurus.com

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

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

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

  2. capable of the greatest precision: exact instruments.

  3. characterized by or using strict accuracy: an exact thinker.

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

verb (used with object)
  1. to call for, demand, or require: to exact respect from one's children.

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

Origin of exact

1
First recorded in 1525–45; late Middle English exacten (verb), from Latin exāctus (past participle of exigere “drive out, thrust out”), equivalent toex- ex-1 + ag(ere) “to drive” + -tus past participle suffix

synonym study For exact

8. See extract.

Other words for exact

Opposites for exact

Other words from exact

  • ex·act·a·ble, adjective
  • ex·act·er, ex·ac·tor, noun
  • ex·act·ness, noun
  • non·ex·act·a·ble, adjective
  • pre·ex·act, adjective, verb (used with object)
  • qua·si-ex·act, adjective
  • qua·si-ex·act·ly, adverb
  • un·ex·act·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exact

exact

/ (ɪɡˈzækt) /


adjective
  1. correct in every detail; strictly accurate: an exact copy

  2. precise, as opposed to approximate; neither more nor less: the exact sum

  1. (prenominal) specific; particular: this exact spot

  2. operating with very great precision: exact instruments

  3. allowing no deviation from a standard; rigorous; strict: an exact mind

  4. based mainly on measurement and the formulation of laws, as opposed to description and classification: physics is an exact science

verb(tr)
  1. to force or compel (payment or performance); extort: to exact tribute

  2. to demand as a right; insist upon: to exact respect from one's employees

  1. to call for or require: this work exacts careful effort

Origin of exact

1
C16: from Latin exactus driven out, from exigere to drive forth, from agere to drive

Derived forms of exact

  • exactable, adjective
  • exactness, noun
  • exactor or exacter, noun

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