exclusively

[ik-skloo-siv-lee, -ziv-]

adverb

1. solely; only; in a manner limited to what is designated.

   Upper-level foreign language courses are taught exclusively in the foreign language to help students develop higher levels of competency.

2. in a way that leaves out or shuts out all others.

   Here to talk with us exclusively in the studio this morning is the director whose film won four Oscars this year.

3. in a way that allows only wealthy or upper-class people to purchase or participate.

   Though exclusively priced—it’s not cheap—the resort offers many activities and doesn’t disappoint.

4. in a way that omits a certain thing from consideration or calculation.

   The number of days allowed for filing the report shall be reckoned exclusively of the day the event occurred.

Other Word Forms

• preexclusively adverb
• semi-exclusively adverb
• ultraexclusively adverb
• unexclusively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of exclusively¹

exclusive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The war tied Englishness exclusively to the Federalist Party, which was on its last legs and about to disappear.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Then again, when the past 14 years have almost exclusively contained hammerings in every corner of Australia, one day is worth celebrating.

Read more on BBC

The nation of Braveheart alternated exclusively between valiant defeat and abject humiliation.

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Occasionally, Benefo points out something he thinks is cool—which is exclusively facts about cows.

Read more on Literature

Pandas have evolved to eat a very special diet—almost exclusively bamboo.

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Related Words

• alone 
• completely 
• entirely 
• only 
• solely 
• wholly