precisely

adverb

pre·​cise·​ly pri-ˈsīs-lē How to pronounce precisely (audio)
1
: in a precise manner : exactly
weighing ingredients precisely
This incremental adjustment is continued until the bubble is precisely centered.Barry F. Kavanagh
often used to emphasize the precision of something (such as a measurement, time, description, etc.)
The sample weighed precisely 6 ounces.
We arrived at precisely two o'clock.
She always knows precisely what to do.
He was popular precisely because he was so kind.
She always woke at eight precisely.P. G. Wodehouse
It is precisely to counter this sort of "negative advertising" that the garbage industry has lately been working hard to change its image.Elizabeth Royte
2
: quite so
used to confirm emphatically that what has been said or suggested is exactly correct
"So you think the system is outdated?" "Precisely."

Examples of precisely in a Sentence

I feel precisely the same way as you do. measured the length of the board precisely
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Communicate precisely and move forward with enthusiasm. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions. Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 Fuchs said such rapid flips between extremes were precisely what the government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment predicted. Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 If the revenue from theater ticket sales exceeds the production company's net spending then the movie makes a profit, which is precisely what happened with The Last Jedi. Caroline Reid, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precisely 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precisely was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near precisely

Cite this Entry

“Precisely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precisely. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on precisely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!