exactly

exactly
[[t]ɪgzæ̱ktli[/t]]
♦♦♦
1) ADV: usu ADV num, also ADV prep/adv (emphasis) You use exactly before an amount, number, or position to emphasize that it is no more, no less, or no different from what you are stating.

Each corner had a guard tower, each of which was exactly ten meters in height...

Agnew's car pulled into the driveway at exactly five o'clock...

It seems logical to keep a moving subject exactly in the middle of the picture.

Syn:
just, precisely
2) ADV as reply If you say `Exactly', you are agreeing with someone or emphasizing the truth of what they say. If you say `Not exactly', you are telling them politely that they are wrong in part of what they are saying.

Eve nodded, almost approvingly. `Exactly.'...

`We don't know the answer to that.' - `Exactly - so shut up and stop speculating.'...

`And you refused?' - 'Well, not exactly. I couldn't say yes.'

Syn:
3) ADV: not ADV, usu ADV group (vagueness) You use not exactly to indicate that a meaning or situation is slightly different from what people think or expect.

He's not exactly homeless, he just hangs out in this park.

4) ADV: not ADV, usu ADV group (emphasis) You can use not exactly to show that you mean the opposite of what you are saying.

This was not exactly what I wanted to hear...

Sailing is not exactly cheap.

5) ADV: ADV with quest (disapproval) You use exactly with a question to show that you disapprove of what the person you are talking to is doing or saying.

What exactly do you mean?...

Exactly what are you looking for?

Syn:
6) → See also exact

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Exactly — Ex*act ly, adv. In an exact manner; precisely according to a rule, standard, or fact; accurately; strictly; correctly; nicely. Exactly wrought. Shak. [1913 Webster] His enemies were pleased, for he had acted exactly as their interests required.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exactly — index faithfully Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • exactly — 1530s, from EXACT (Cf. exact) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Elliptical use for quite right not recorded before 1869 …   Etymology dictionary

  • exactly — [adv] accurately, particularly absolutely, altogether, bang*, carefully, completely, correctly, definitely, explicitly, expressly, faithfully, faultlessly, for a fact, for certain, for sure*, indeed, in every respect, just, literally,… …   New thesaurus

  • exactly — ► ADVERB 1) in exact terms. 2) used to confirm or agree with what has just been said …   English terms dictionary

  • exactly — [eg zakt′lē, igzakt′lē] adv. in an exact manner; accurately; correctly; precisely: also used as an affirmative reply, equivalent to “I agree,” “quite true” …   English World dictionary

  • exactly — adverb 1 used to emphasize that a particular number, amount, or piece of information is completely correct: We were wearing exactly the same clothes. | It s exactly half past five. | exactly where/what/when etc: Tell me exactly what he said. |… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • exactly — ex|act|ly W2S1 [ıgˈzæktli] adv 1.) used to emphasize that a number, amount, or piece of information is or should be completely correct in every detail ▪ It s exactly half past five. ▪ The figures may not be exactly right, but they re close enough …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • exactly — ex|act|ly [ ıg zæktli ] adverb *** 1. ) no more and no less than a particular amount or time: PRECISELY: It s exactly three o clock. The wood should measure five centimeters exactly. 2. ) in every way or every detail: The house is exactly the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • exactly*/*/*/ — [ɪgˈzæk(t)li] adv 1) no more and no less than a particular amount or time Syn: precisely It s exactly three o clock.[/ex] The wood should measure five centimetres exactly.[/ex] 2) in every way, or in every detail Syn: just She sounds exactly like …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”