# precisely

/pɹiˈsaɪsɫi/ (US) · /pɹɪsˈaɪsli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. exactly

adverb · CEFR B2

in an exact way, without any mistakes or changes.

For teachers: in a precise or exact manner; with total accuracy and attention to detail.

- The meeting will start at precisely nine o'clock, so please do not be late.
- The chemist measured the solution precisely to ensure that the reaction would proceed without any volatile side effects.

Usage: often used to modify time, measurements, or locations to show strict accuracy.

### 2. emphasis

adverb · CEFR B2

used to emphasize that what you are saying is the most important or exact point.

For teachers: used as a focus adverb to provide emphasis or to highlight a specific detail as being the exact cause or reason.

- It is precisely because of the rain that we decided to stay home.
- It was precisely this lack of transparency that led the board of directors to call for an immediate internal audit.

Usage: frequently appears in the construction 'it is precisely because...' or 'precisely the...'.

### 3. strong agreement

interjection · CEFR B2 · Formal

used on its own to show that you completely agree with what someone just said.

For teachers: used as a standalone particle to express emphatic agreement with a previous speaker's statement or observation.

- — 'So the problem is the cost?' — 'Precisely.'
- — 'If we fail to secure the patent now, the entire year of research will be wasted.' — 'Precisely; that is why we must act today.'

Usage: functions as a one-word response in dialogue.

Teaching tip: This is a more formal and sophisticated alternative to 'Exactly' or 'Right' Right' in professional conversations.

## Examples

- The meeting starts at precisely nine o'clock.
- The scientist measured the chemicals precisely to ensure the experiment would be safe and accurate.
- It is precisely because the data is so volatile that we must exercise extreme caution before drawing any definitive conclusions about the market's recovery.

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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.