exactly

[ig-zakt-lee]

See more synonyms for exactly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in an exact manner; precisely; accurately.
in every respect; just: He will do exactly what he wants.
quite so; that's right.

Origin of exactly

First recorded in 1525–35; exact + -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for exactly

Contemporary Examples

A peacemaker is also exactly how Police Commissioner William Bratton sees himself.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation
Michael Daly
December 30, 2014
There should be a retrievable record of exactly when the Airbus disappeared from radar.
Did Bad Weather Bring Down AirAsia 8501?
Clive Irving
December 29, 2014
Exactly why is unclear; their previous hacks seem to have just been for the Lulz (laughs in Internet-speak) and the attention.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet
Marc Rogers
December 29, 2014
And there are those who still have misgivings about exactly what “Christian rap” means.
Down With the King: Christianity Isn’t Hiding in Rap’s Closet
Stereo Williams
December 28, 2014
Liberals distrust business and anyone with power—better to tell them exactly what to do.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans
Philip K. Howard
December 27, 2014

Historical Examples

Exactly in the measure that he indulged this would his pride smart.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
She certainly knew he was liable to go at any time, in exactly the way he did go.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Exactly, you can give half of 'em cards and spades and both casinos, Mrs. Wybert.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
Exactly; and there ain't really any reason why you can't be somebody here.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
It's funny—that's exactly what I told Aunt Cornelia about that—that man.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for exactly

exactly

adverb

in an exact manner; accurately or precisely
in every respect; justit is exactly what I want
not exactly ironic not at all; by no means

sentence substitute

just so! precisely!

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 exactly

adv.

1530s, from exact + -ly (2). Elliptical use for "quite right" not recorded before 1869.

exactly

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for exactly

Contemporary Examples

A peacemaker is also exactly how Police Commissioner William Bratton sees himself.

There should be a retrievable record of exactly when the Airbus disappeared from radar.

Exactly why is unclear; their previous hacks seem to have just been for the Lulz (laughs in Internet-speak) and the attention.

And there are those who still have misgivings about exactly what “Christian rap” means.

Liberals distrust business and anyone with power—better to tell them exactly what to do.

Historical Examples

Exactly in the measure that he indulged this would his pride smart.

She certainly knew he was liable to go at any time, in exactly the way he did go.

Exactly, you can give half of 'em cards and spades and both casinos, Mrs. Wybert.

Exactly; and there ain't really any reason why you can't be somebody here.

It's funny—that's exactly what I told Aunt Cornelia about that—that man.

exactly

Word Origin and History for exactly

adv.

Origin of exactly