# exactly

/ɪɡˈzæktɫi/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈæktli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exactly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. precisely

adverb · CEFR A2

in a way that is 100% correct or accurate, without any mistakes.

For teachers: used to indicate that a statement or measurement is precise and without approximation.

- The train arrived at exactly ten o'clock, just as the schedule promised.
- The scientist needed to measure the chemical solution exactly to ensure the reaction proceeded safely and predictably.

### 2. emphasis

adverb · CEFR B1

used to emphasize a word or to show that something is very specific.

For teachers: used as a focus marker to provide emphasis to a specific part of a sentence.

- What exactly do you mean by that comment?
- It is not exactly clear why the board decided to veto the proposal after months of preliminary support.

## Examples

- The train arrives at exactly three o'clock.
- I cannot remember exactly what she said, but she seemed very unhappy with the results.
- While the two theories appear similar at first glance, they do not cover exactly the same range of physical phenomena when tested under laboratory conditions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.