exactly

exactly — adverb

1. used to say that every part of a piece of information is completely correct, wit

1.adverbA2
Definition

used to say that every part of a piece of information is completely correct, with no mistakes or guesses

Example

Can you tell me exactly where the train station is?

exactly + where for precise location

After trying five different models, Trang found exactly the lightweight laptop she wanted for her travels.

exactly the + noun phrase for precise match

Common collocations
  • exactly what/where/when/who/why/how
  • exactly + number/amount
  • exactly the same
Synonyms
  • precisely

    more formal, often used in academic or technical contexts

  • just

    less formal, common in everyday speech ('just where do you think you're going?')

Antonyms
  • approximately

    suggests a rough estimate rather than an exact figure

  • roughly

    informal opposite, used for non-precise amounts

Grammar Patterns

exactly + wh-word (what/where/when/who/why/how)

exactly + number/amount/time

Usage Note

Commonly placed before question words (what, where, when, who, why, how) to ask for precise details, or before numbers, times, and amounts to indicate an exact value. In questions, it signals that the speaker wants a specific answer, not an approximation.

Common Mistakes

Tell me where exactly is the station.
Tell me exactly where the station is.
'exactly' must come before the question word, not after it.

2. used to emphasise that a statement is completely true, or to express strong agre

2.adverbA2
Definition

used to emphasise that a statement is completely true, or to express strong agreement with what someone has just said

Example

That is exactly what I meant when I said we should wait.

exactly what + clause for emphatic clarification

For his three-day trip to the conference, Walid needs exactly two hundred dollars for the train fare and hostel.

exactly + amount for precise quantity emphasis

Common collocations
  • exactly the same
  • exactly right
  • exactly what I + verb
Synonyms
  • precisely

    more formal; 'Precisely!' can replace 'Exactly!' in formal contexts

  • just

    more informal, as in 'just what I needed'

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

exactly + the same + noun

exactly + what/where/when + clause

Exactly! (standalone response)

Usage Note

When used alone as a one-word reply (Exactly!), it means 'You are completely right' or 'That is precisely what I think.' This standalone use is very common in conversation.

Common Mistakes

It is exact the same colour.
It is exactly the same colour.
'exact' is an adjective; use the adverb 'exactly' before 'the same.'

3. qualifies a description that comes close to being accurate but has a small diffe

3.adverbB1
Definition

qualifies a description that comes close to being accurate but has a small difference — here the description is nearly right and needs only slight adjustment, whereas Sense 4 signals the statement IS actually not true and politely corrects it

Example

The sofa is dark green — or not exactly green, more like olive.

not exactly + adjective for self-correction

Jin is not exactly a beginner at cooking, but he still follows every recipe closely.

not exactly + noun for mild qualification

Common collocations
  • not exactly + adjective
  • not exactly + noun
Synonyms
  • not quite

    similar meaning, slightly less formal

  • hardly

    stronger negation, implies 'almost not'

Antonyms
  • exactly

    the affirmative counterpart — 'exactly a beginner' would mean fully a beginner

Grammar Patterns

not exactly + adjective/noun

Usage Note

This sense uses 'not exactly' as a hedging device — the speaker is qualifying or fine-tuning a description rather than fully rejecting it. The tone is neutral and factual, not sarcastic.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'He is not exactly a beginner' when you mean he IS a beginner. — 'not exactly' here means 'not completely,' so if he truly is a beginner, just say 'He is a beginner.'

4. serves as a polite signal that a statement does not fully match the facts or rea

4.adverbB1
Definition

serves as a polite signal that a statement does not fully match the facts or reality, often preparing the listener for a correction

Example

That restaurant is not exactly cheap — dinner for two cost over three thousand dollars.

not exactly + adjective + contrasting evidence

Well, that is not exactly what happened. Let me tell you the full story.

not exactly + what-clause for factual correction

Common collocations
  • not exactly + positive-sounding adjective
  • not exactly + what-clause
Synonyms
  • far from

    stronger negation, less subtle ('far from ideal')

  • hardly

    similar but less polite ('hardly surprising')

Grammar Patterns

not exactly + adjective (often used ironically)

Usage Note

Distinguish from Sense 3: Sense 4 is a polite way of saying something IS wrong or untrue, while Sense 3 simply notes a minor difference. 'Not exactly cheap' (Sense 4) means 'it IS expensive,' whereas 'not exactly blue' (Sense 3) means 'close to blue but not quite.'

Common Mistakes

❌ Using 'not exactly' sarcastically when the context is neutral — leads to confusion with Sense 5 (ironic opposite). Use this sense for polite correction only, not for sarcasm.

5. used ironically to indicate that the reality contradicts what someone previously

5.adverbB2
Definition

used ironically to indicate that the reality contradicts what someone previously stated or what one would normally expect

Example

A relaxing weekend in the countryside? That is exactly how I spent my time fixing the roof.

ironic use with 'exactly how' + contradictory detail

Samir sighed and said, "Great, exactly what I needed — another email from the boss at midnight."

exactly what I needed — ironic register marker

Common collocations
  • exactly what I needed (ironic)
  • exactly the opposite
  • exactly how I + verb (ironic)
Synonyms
  • just

    used similarly in ironic contexts ('just what I needed — more rain')

Grammar Patterns

exactly + what/how + clause (ironic)

exactly the opposite

Usage Note

This sense relies entirely on context and tone to signal irony. The words say 'this is exactly the case,' but the meaning is 'this is absolutely NOT the case.' Learners should be cautious — without clear contextual clues (e.g., a misfortunate event paired with 'exactly what I needed'), the irony may not be understood.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'That restaurant was exactly what I needed' (without ironic context) — a non-native listener will think you genuinely liked it. Add an ironic clue: 'Another power cut — exactly what I needed.'

Idioms

not exactly

idiom

Used to show that you mean the opposite of what you are saying.

Maya was not exactly thrilled about the surprise party.

Not exactly a masterpiece, is it?

Word family

  • exact
    adjectiveB1
  • exact
    verbB2
  • exacting
    adjectiveC1
  • exactness
    nounC1
  • exaction
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Exactly' and 'precisely' overlap heavily and can often be swapped ('The train arrived at exactly/precisely 3 p.m.'). However, 'precisely' carries a slightly more formal, technical tone and is common in academic or scientific writing ('the precisely calibrated instrument'), while 'exactly' is neutral and suits everyday conversation. 'Just' is more informal and versatile — 'just what I wanted' feels lighter than 'exactly what I wanted.' 'Just' can also reduce precision ('just about right' vs. 'exactly right'). 'Accurately' differs in focusing on truth or correctness of a measurement or statement rather than numerical exactness: 'accurately reported the facts' vs. 'exactly three meters.' In agreement contexts ('Exactly!' vs. 'Precisely!'), the difference is purely register.

precisely ↗just ↗exactly ↗accurately ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • exactly what/where/when/who/why/how
  • not exactly + adjective/noun
  • exactly the same
  • exactly the opposite
  • exactly right
  • exactly like

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Exactly' comes from Latin 'exactus,' meaning 'driven out, measured precisely,' the past participle of 'exigere' ('to drive out, weigh, measure'). It entered English through French 'exact' in the 1500s, with the adverb form 'exactly' appearing by the mid-1500s. The ironic use ('exactly what I needed' meaning the opposite) developed in spoken English in the 1900s, showing how adverbs can acquire pragmatic functions beyond their literal meaning.