exactly

1. 1
   preciselyadverb

   Completely correct in every detail, or just what was said or wanted.

   Like hitting the center of a target, not just somewhere close to it.

   The recipe needs exactly two cups of flour.

   She copied the drawing exactly, line for line.

   UsageOften comes just before a number, time or question word: exactly two, at exactly six, exactly what I want.

   Note
2. 2
   I agreeinterjection

   Used to show that you fully agree with what someone has just said.

   Exactly! That's just what I was thinking.

   "So we should leave before the rain starts?" "Exactly."

   Similarabsolutely, indeed, right, quite

3. 3
   not reallyadverbcolloquial

   Used after "not" to make a statement gentler, or in a joking way to mean "not at all".

   I'm not exactly sure where I left my keys.

   My brother is not exactly a morning person. He never gets up before noon.

   UsageComes after not: not exactly cheap usually means quite expensive. Not exactly on its own can mean "not quite" or a gentle "no".

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