exactly

exactly
ex|act|ly
W2S1 [ıgˈzæktli] adv
1.) used to emphasize that a number, amount, or piece of information is or should be completely correct in every detail
▪ It's exactly half past five.
▪ The figures may not be exactly right, but they're close enough.
exactly where/what/when etc
▪ I can't remember exactly what she said.
▪ It's a tragic situation and no one will ever know exactly what happened.
why/what/where etc exactly...?
▪ Where exactly did you stay in Portugal?
2.) used to emphasize that something is the same or different
▪ That's exactly what we've been trying to tell you.
▪ It's exactly the kind of work I've been looking for.
▪ She tries to be exactly like her older sister.
▪ Kevin's teachers saw him as quiet and serious, but with his friends he was exactly the opposite .
▪ The two candidates responded to the question in exactly the same way.
3.) not exactlyspoken
a) used as a reply to show that what someone has said is not completely correct or true
▪ 'You hate Lee, don't you?' 'Not exactly. I just think he's a bit annoying, that's all.'
b) used to show that you mean the complete opposite, either humorously, or when you are annoyed
= ↑hardly
▪ I wouldn't bother asking Dave - he's not exactly Einstein (=he is stupid) .
4.) spoken used as a reply to show that you think what someone has said is completely correct or true
▪ 'So you think we should sell the house?' 'Exactly.'

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Exactly — Ex*act ly, adv. In an exact manner; precisely according to a rule, standard, or fact; accurately; strictly; correctly; nicely. Exactly wrought. Shak. [1913 Webster] His enemies were pleased, for he had acted exactly as their interests required.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exactly — index faithfully Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • exactly — 1530s, from EXACT (Cf. exact) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Elliptical use for quite right not recorded before 1869 …   Etymology dictionary

  • exactly — [adv] accurately, particularly absolutely, altogether, bang*, carefully, completely, correctly, definitely, explicitly, expressly, faithfully, faultlessly, for a fact, for certain, for sure*, indeed, in every respect, just, literally,… …   New thesaurus

  • exactly — ► ADVERB 1) in exact terms. 2) used to confirm or agree with what has just been said …   English terms dictionary

  • exactly — [eg zakt′lē, igzakt′lē] adv. in an exact manner; accurately; correctly; precisely: also used as an affirmative reply, equivalent to “I agree,” “quite true” …   English World dictionary

  • exactly — adverb 1 used to emphasize that a particular number, amount, or piece of information is completely correct: We were wearing exactly the same clothes. | It s exactly half past five. | exactly where/what/when etc: Tell me exactly what he said. |… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • exactly — [[t]ɪgzæ̱ktli[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADV: usu ADV num, also ADV prep/adv (emphasis) You use exactly before an amount, number, or position to emphasize that it is no more, no less, or no different from what you are stating. Each corner had a guard tower,… …   English dictionary

  • exactly — ex|act|ly [ ıg zæktli ] adverb *** 1. ) no more and no less than a particular amount or time: PRECISELY: It s exactly three o clock. The wood should measure five centimeters exactly. 2. ) in every way or every detail: The house is exactly the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • exactly*/*/*/ — [ɪgˈzæk(t)li] adv 1) no more and no less than a particular amount or time Syn: precisely It s exactly three o clock.[/ex] The wood should measure five centimetres exactly.[/ex] 2) in every way, or in every detail Syn: just She sounds exactly like …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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