- exactly*/*/*/
- [ɪgˈzæk(t)li]adv1) no more and no less than a particular amount or timeSyn:preciselyIt's exactly three o'clock.[/ex]The wood should measure five centimetres exactly.[/ex]2) in every way, or in every detailSyn:justShe sounds exactly like her mother.[/ex]The house is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago.[/ex]3) used for emphasizing that you are referring to one particular thing and no otherSyn:justShe was standing exactly where you are now.[/ex]4) spokenused as a reply for saying that you completely agree with someone‘If he does that again, he could lose his job.' ‘Exactly!'[/ex]•not exactly — spoken 1) often humorousused for emphasizing that someone or something does not have a particular quality[/ex]She's not exactly the world's greatest singer.[/ex]
— 2) used for saying that something that someone says is not completely right
'You're leaving, aren't you?' 'Not exactly, I'm just going on holiday.'[/ex]what/where/when etc exactly — used for asking someone for more details about something[/ex]What exactly did he say?[/ex]
Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.