EXACTLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does exactly mean? 

• EXACTLY (adverb)
  The adverb EXACTLY has 3 senses:

1. indicating exactness or preciseness

2. just as it should be

3. in a precise manner

  Familiarity information: EXACTLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXACTLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Indicating exactness or preciseness

Synonyms:

exactly; just; precisely; properly

Context example:

Properly speaking, all true work is religion.

Pertainym:

exact (marked by strict and particular and complete accordance with fact)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Just as it should be

Synonyms:

exactly; on the button; on the dot; on the nose; precisely

Context example:

'Precisely, my lord,' he said

Sense 3

Meaning:

In a precise manner

Synonyms:

exactly; incisively; precisely

Context example:

she always expressed herself precisely

Antonym:

inexactly (in an imprecise manner)

Pertainym:

exact ((of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth; strictly correct)

 Context examples 

The first thing is to realise exactly what he has done as yet; we may, then, get a light on what his later task is to be.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Unless they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Not exactly so, sir. But I should think he might be here tomorrow, as he has not been here today.” “Is he coming up from Oxford?”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

On the evening of the crime, he returned from the club exactly at ten.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I want you, Mr. Hall Pycroft, to tell my friend your very interesting experience exactly as you have told it to me, or with more detail if possible.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

No, Miss Jane, not exactly: you are genteel enough; you look like a lady, and it is as much as ever I expected of you: you were no beauty as a child.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived; which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Exactly. I don't suppose he can always be so violent as that.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It did come, and exactly when it might be reasonably looked for.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)