exactlyex‧act‧ly /ɪɡˈzæktli/ ●●● S1 W2 adverb 
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?2used to emphasize that something is the same or different SYN precisely: 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.3not exactly spoken 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 SYN hardly: I wouldn’t bother asking Dave – he’s not exactly Einstein (=he is stupid).4spoken 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.’THESAURUSexactly used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail: · The bill came to exactly $1,000.· Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.precisely exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail: · We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.· Can you tell us precisely where he is?· What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?just especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position: · The frame is just the right size for the picture.· He and his brother are just the same.· The hotel is just next to the station.· A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.right exactly in a particular position or direction: · The ball hit me right in the eye!· There’s the house, right in front of you.· I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.· He sat down right beside her.directly exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right: · Amy was sitting directly opposite me.on the dot informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time: · She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.bang British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions: · The train was bang on time.· The shot was bang on target.· Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Assemble the table exactly as shown in the diagram on the left.
- Glue the pieces together, exactly as shown in the diagram.
- I'm sure he knew exactly what he was doing.
- I don't exactly know how to dry herbs, could you show me?
- It's exactly 5 o'clock.
- It tastes exactly the same as meat.
- It took us exactly two hours to get here.
- That's exactly right.
- That's exactly the sort of material I'm looking for.
- That's exactly what happened to me!
- The baby was born almost exactly a year after they were married.
- The bill came to exactly $1000.
- The doctors can't say exactly what's wrong with my mother.
- The earrings are beautiful! They're exactly what I wanted.
- The police want to know exactly when you left the building.
- This is exactly the kind of job that computers are good at.
- What exactly did you want to see?
- Where exactly are you from?
- You must do exactly as I say.
- But the truth is that the speech did exactly what Dole and his advisers wanted it to do.
- He couldn't, though, for exactly the same reasons that he had left her in the first place.
- Some members stay in Washington, but I knew exactly where I was going.
- The kittens know instinctively what to do, they just have to learn exactly how to do it skilfully.
- These latter were nearly all middle-aged or C3 with bad eyesight, so the outlook was not exactly exhilarating.
THESAURUS
used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail: · The bill came to exactly $1,000.· Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.
exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail: · We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.· Can you tell us precisely where he is?· What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?
especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position: · The frame is just the right size for the picture.· He and his brother are just the same.· The hotel is just next to the station.· A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.
exactly in a particular position or direction: · The ball hit me right in the eye!· There’s the house, right in front of you.· I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.· He sat down right beside her.
exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right: · Amy was sitting directly opposite me.
informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time: · She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.
British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions: · The train was bang on time.· The shot was bang on target.· Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.
Longman Language Activatoran exact number/amount/time an exact number, amount, or time is completely correct and is no more and no less than it should be: · "Can you tell me the exact time?" "It's 6.37."· The exact weight of the baby at birth was 3.2 kg.· I don't suppose you have the exact amount of money, do you?· You need to give me the exact measurements of the room.to be exact (=used after a number to give an exact answer, statement etc): · It took her about an hour - 58 minutes to be exact.
precise information is based on clear and exact figures or measurements, especially when it is important that no mistakes are made: · We need to know your precise location.· Each plane has to follow a precise route.to be precise (=to give precise information or figures): · It's difficult to be precise about the number of deaths caused by smoking.
use this to emphasize that a number, amount, or time is no more or less than a particular time or figure: · It's exactly 5 o'clock.· The bill came to exactly $1000.
informal at an exact time, no earlier and no later: · She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.
: at nine o'clock/six/ten-thirty sharp at exactly nine o'clock etc - used especially to emphasize that something will not be delayed or that someone should not be late: · The performance starts at 8 o'clock sharp.
at exactly seven o'clock, nine o'clock etc: · On the stroke of midnight, the British flag was lowered for the last time over Delhi.· The judge entered the courtroom at the stroke of nine.
British informal use this to emphasize that it is exactly a particular time or at exactly the right time: · 'What time is it?' 'Bang on midnight.'· We finished dead on eight, and we were back home for nine.· Luckily, he arrived dead on time.
exactly how, what, where etc use this to give or ask for exact details or information: · Glue the pieces together, exactly as shown in the diagram.· It took us exactly two hours to get here.exactly who/what/where etc: · The police want to know exactly when you left the building.· The doctors can't say exactly what's wrong with my mother.exactly the same: · It tastes exactly the same as meat.who/what/where exactly?: · Where exactly are you from?· What exactly did you want to see?
especially spoken use this to say exactly how, what, where etc something is: · That's just the right place for the painting, don't you think?just what/how/where etc: · A new handbag! That's just what I wanted.· Just who does he think he is, coming in here and shouting like that?just the same: · He and his brother are just the same -- lazy.
exactly - use this when it is important to describe something very carefully or to get very exact information: precisely what/where/who etc: · We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.· Can you tell us more precisely what happened?where/what/who precisely?: · What precisely do you mean by 'relativity'?
doing something in exactly the right way use this to talk about doing something in exactly the right way: · Assemble the table exactly as shown in the diagram on the left.· I don't exactly know how to dry herbs, could you show me?· You must do exactly as I say.
done exactly according to a set of rules or instructions: · The work is strictly on a volunteer basis.· The immigration laws have been strictly implemented.· Martha and Joan kept strictly to their part of the house.
if you do something religiously , you do it in exactly the way that you are supposed to do it: · He counted his money up religiously every night.· Julia has been sticking religiously to her diet.
exactly the right thing use this to emphasize that something is the particular thing that you want or mean: · This is exactly the kind of job that computers are good at.· That's exactly the sort of material I'm looking for. exactly what: · The earrings are beautiful! They're exactly what I wanted.· That's exactly what happened to me!
exactly - use this to emphasize exactly what the situation is, exactly what happened, exactly what you meant etc: · That is precisely the point I was trying to make earlier.· The new legislation won't solve the problem - it will do precisely the opposite.
informal use this to talk about exactly the thing, person, or place you mean, want etc: · We want just the same rights as everyone else.· He said he was leaving her and proceeded to do just that!just who/what/how etc: · I'm not sure just who you mean.· Mallorca? That's just where we want to go.
not · It's not boring -- it's really interesting.· David's not stupid. He knows what's going on.· This period of history is not well documented.· We're not going on holiday this year.· Buying a yacht isn't as expensive as you might imagine.· "Are you worried about your exams?" "No, I'm not."· It's not a computer -- it's a word processor.
not - use this especially when you do not want to state a negative quality directly: · I wouldn't recommend the fish - it's not very nice.· He isn't very clever, is he?· The figures were different, but at the time we thought it wasn't very important.
not very, or not very much: · It was a good film, not particularly exciting, but enjoyable.· Birmingham isn't a particularly beautiful city.· I didn't particularly want to go out.
not completely, but almost: · The paint's not quite dry yet.· We haven't quite finished yet.
not very or completely: · She's not exactly fat, but she is slightly overweight.· What they're doing is not exactly dishonest, but it's not completely honest either.
use this to say that a negative statement that has just been made about someone is also true about someone else: neither am I/neither does she/neither have we etc: · "I've never been to Australia." "No, neither have I."· Tom didn't believe a word she said, and neither did the police.
exactly like someone or something · They were both wearing the same shoes.· We've opened up stores in the UK and we hope to do the same in the rest of Europe.· "We always get up late on Saturdays." "It's the same in our house."look/sound/taste etc the same · The houses on the street all look the same.just the same/exactly the same (=not different in any way) · I tried three different types of wine, but they all tasted exactly the same to me.all the same · Take whichever you like - they're all the same.the same ... as · They were doing the same jobs as the men, but being paid less.
if someone or something is just like or exactly like someone or something else, there is very little difference between them: · You're just like my teacher.· There are insects that look exactly like green leaves.· This song sounds exactly like that one by The Beatles.be just/exactly like doing something: · We had often talked about emigrating to Australia. Suzie came from Melbourne, so it would be just like going home for her.
identical things are exactly the same in every way: · To me the two patterns looked identical.identical to: · The picture is identical to the one in the museum of Modern Art in New York.identical in size/colour/shape etc: · The tablets were identical in size, shape, and colour.
if you can't tell the difference between two people or things, or if you can't tell them apart , they look, sound, or seem exactly the same to you: · Emma and Louise sound so alike on the phone, I can't tell the difference.· They are identical twins and it's impossible to tell them apart.· These rap bands all sound the same to me -- I can't tell them apart.can't tell the difference between: · Don't let her help you with the gardening -- she can't tell the difference between a weed and a strawberry plant!
two people or things that are indistinguishable are so similar that it is impossible to know which is which or to see any differences between them: · In the storm the sky and sea were indistinguishable.· It was claimed that Russian and American defence policies were indistinguishable.indistinguishable from: · He tasted the cheaper wine and found it indistinguishable from a superior one.
use this especially when you expect something or someone to be different from another thing or person, but in fact they are the same: · People often think that movie stars are special in some way, but really they're no different from anybody else.· Life on the island is no different from life on the mainland.
if one thing matches another or if two things match , they look the same or have the same qualities or characteristics: · You can't go out wearing socks that don't match.· Their performance in government didn't quite match their election promises.
if you repeat or copy something word for word , you do it using exactly the same words: · Janice repeated word for word what Harold had told her.· It appears that someone has copied your essay word for word.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY 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.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The description of these events corresponds closely to other accounts written at the time. I know exactly how you feel. The copy closely matches the original. That’s funny – Simon said exactly the same thing. Your measurements are exactly the same as Dana’s. ‘After all, it’s her decision.’ ‘My sentiments exactly (=I agree).’
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. The description of these events corresponds closely to other accounts written at the time.· The food is shared out in exactly equal portions among all members of the community.
· This was precisely the kind of help that she needed.
I know exactly how you feel. The copy closely matches the original. (=completely different than what has been said)· It looks simple, but it is exactly the opposite.
· My figures may not be exactly right.
That’s funny – Simon said exactly the same thing. Your measurements are exactly the same as Dana’s. ‘After all, it’s her decision.’ ‘My sentiments exactly (=I agree).’· I’m not exactly sure when the funeral is.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· You might well find something that is exactly right for you that you didn't even know about earlier.· On that point, he got it exactly right.· Wedges are used under the former to get the vertical position exactly right.· It helps kids to focus less on whether they are exactly right and more on thinking like a mathematician.· Theatre administrator Patricia McBride is calling on expert help to get the boy's drawl exactly right.· Setting unrealistic standards means we can only fail, nothing we do is ever enough or exactly right.· They tend to be sensitive to every change in the atmosphere; they can not get the temperature exactly right.
VERB· Practical Transformers Another problem is that the output voltage of transformers seldom correspond exactly to the rated voltage.· First, no country has a political economy that corresponds exactly to either the market economy or the command economy.· Instead, it was in areas on the right-hand side exactly corresponding to the language centres in the opposite hemisphere.· An ideal type is illustrative, but it does not necessarily correspond exactly to any real-world example.· I remember that he wrote that Michelangelo's drawing technique corresponded exactly to his Neoplatonism.· Once again we are saying something in general form which corresponds exactly to the particularities of wave mechanics.· Not that they corresponded exactly, but they were close enough.· Apart from the addition of variables derived from the two new questions, the other tables do not exactly correspond.
· If you were abandoned on a desert island, you would have total personal sovereignty to do exactly what you want.· Surely now he could do exactly as he liked.· Many local jails do exactly that.· Q.. What exactly does the term bankruptcy mean?· He did exactly the same thing to Delino DeShields in the seventh.· Now, Barak has pledged to do exactly that no later than July 7.· Innovative programs that make use of mentors often do exactly this.
· Nobody knows exactly who built South Luffenham, but it is almost certain that an architect called John Sturges supplied the drawings.· The voters knew exactly what they were voting for.· So I knew exactly why I wanted to conduct it.· I know exactly what the poor little darling is suffering.· The little wife knew exactly what she was doing.· But I know exactly where these ground-floor folks are coming from.· Oh, if only she knew exactly what she did want!· I wish I knew exactly what the territory ahead will look like, but I do not.
· They say he looked exactly like the family picture of old Sir Hugo, who first saw the Hound.· Four of the five containers look exactly the same.· While he ... All he needed, he sometimes thought, was a trunk to make him look exactly like an elephant.· It looks exactly like a Georgetown party.· He looked exactly the way he'd looked last time I'd seen him.· He thought she looked exactly as Violet might look when sitting at the edge of a fish pond.· Chick looked exactly like the kind of person who starred in public information films about not taking sweets from strangers.· But the figure waiting at the customs barrier looked exactly the same.
· There was no doubt at all that her mother's clip exactly matched the right-hand side of the clasp on the doge's cloak.· At this extreme duration the researchers noticed that the respirations of man and algae were not exactly matched.· This almost exactly matches up with the periodic variation present in the Mercury-transit data.· He was dressed in a scrupulously clean but threadbare dhoti and he wore a pale blue turban which exactly matched his eyes.· This light is tuned so that the photon energy exactly matches the desired atomic transition energy.· Tailor your list of achievements to match exactly the requirements of your future position, and leave everything else off.· The structure will therefore match exactly what is achieved by the use of ordinary predicative position.· When the losses incurred on the call are exactly matched by the profits received from the shares.
· She tried hard to think back and remember exactly what she'd said that first night in Jarman House.· Untying him, Ezra was sure he should remember exactly why, why the spectacle before him.· I can remember exactly what it was like.· But we who are pro-choice have to remember exactly what it is we are fighting for.· Nobody remembers exactly where the restaurant is, but eventually we turn off past the sign for Belle Isle.· Yet neither one of them could remember exactly what had been said; the words had dissipated, leaving only charged air.· An instant later she remembered exactly where she was.· Many people today, worldwide, remember exactly what they were doing when John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail: - "Dan's spent about a million dollars fixing up his house." "Not exactly. It was just a few thousand."
- I wouldn't bother asking Dave -- he's not exactly Einstein.
- She's not exactly fat, but she is slightly overweight.
- Well, they didn't exactly rush over to help us.
- What they're doing is not exactly dishonest, but it's not completely honest either.
- But, with a few exceptions, they are not exactly rousing.
- Everything, it says, is not exactly crystal clear.
- Her tone was not exactly friendly, but its harshness was of bemused disbelief rather than jealous suspicion.
- I was already being patient with the way he smelled, not exactly like the perfume department.
- It is not exactly arcane knowledge.
- Rebecca Lobo may be off globetrotting with the Olympic team, but the cupboard down there in Storrs is not exactly bare.
- The publicity may not exactly have gone to his head but it certainly set fire to his ambition.
- With a mouth like that, she's not exactly going to fade into the background is she?
- I have a sudden urge to touch her, to hold her, to tell her I know how she feels.
- I knew how he felt about me -- a short blind boy who hated leather basketballs.
- I know how he feels about me!
- I know how you feel about it ... You would rather wait - wait till we're married.
- I know how you feel, Doyle thought.
- I know how you feel, they're all or nothing.
- You ran a decent campaign, John, and I know how it feels to lose.
- Everything has to be just so at Maxine's dinner parties.
- But this turned out to be just so much more Super Bowl hype.
- Flashman is just so bitter - he's blaming us, but we just wanted our money above aboard.
- I was just so furious that I swept out in high dudgeon.
- I was just so pumped up to do good.
- I went downstairs, I was just so struck by musicians and live music.
- If it was a microcap fund it would be different because there are just so many microcap stocks you can buy.
- Now, nations are just so many men like these.
- There were just so many animals around.
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?2used to emphasize that something is the same or different SYN precisely: 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.3not exactly spoken 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 SYN hardly: I wouldn’t bother asking Dave – he’s not exactly Einstein (=he is stupid).4spoken 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.’THESAURUSexactly used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail: · The bill came to exactly $1,000.· Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.precisely exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail: · We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.· Can you tell us precisely where he is?· What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?just especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position: · The frame is just the right size for the picture.· He and his brother are just the same.· The hotel is just next to the station.· A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.right exactly in a particular position or direction: · The ball hit me right in the eye!· There’s the house, right in front of you.· I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.· He sat down right beside her.directly exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right: · Amy was sitting directly opposite me.on the dot informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time: · She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.bang British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions: · The train was bang on time.· The shot was bang on target.· Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.