exact
ihg-ZAKT
Exact (adjective) means Perfectly accurate or precise; matching a standard or fact exactly, with nothing added or missing. Example: “I need the exact time the meeting starts.”
adjective
1
Perfectly accurate or precise; matching a standard or fact exactly, with nothing added or missing.
"I need the exact time the meeting starts."
"She gave an exact account of what happened."
"The recipe needs the exact weight of flour, or the cake won't rise."
2
Careful and precise by habit; strict about following rules or keeping promises.
"He is exact about paying his bills on the first of the month."
"Our accountant is very exact and checks every figure twice before signing."
"She is exact in her habits, and always arrives five minutes early."
verb
1
To demand and enforce payment or compliance, sometimes forcefully.
"The landlord exacted rent from every tenant without exception."
"The council exacts a fine from anyone who leaves rubbish on the pavement."
"Some bosses exact complete loyalty from their staff and give little in return."
2
To make something necessary or unavoidable.
"The job exacts a heavy toll on his free time."
"Running a farm exacts early mornings and long hours from the whole family."
"Caring for a newborn exacts patience that many new parents did not know they had."
How to use exact
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPrecisely correct, or (as a verb) to demand something forcefully.
Common mistake
As an adjective it means "precise"; as a verb it means "to force/demand" — very different senses from the same spelling.
Common pairings
exact same
exact location
exact match
exact opposite
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- exacts
- Past tense
- exacted
- Comparative
- exacter, more exact
- Superlative
- exactest, most exact
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I need the _____ time the meeting starts.
Etymology
From Latin exactus, "measured out" or "perfected," the past participle of exigere ("to drive out, demand, measure"), from ex- ("out") + agere ("to drive").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “exact” mean?
The word “exact” means perfectly accurate or precise; matching a standard or fact exactly, with nothing added or missing. In plain terms, precisely correct, or (as a verb) to demand something forcefully.
How do you pronounce “exact”?
“Exact” is pronounced ihg-ZAKT (/ɪɡˈzækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “exact” in a sentence?
Here is “exact” used in a sentence: “I need the exact time the meeting starts.”
What is another word for “exact”?
Words with a similar meaning to “exact” include spot on.
What is the opposite of “exact”?
The opposite of “exact” — its antonyms — are inexact, imprecise, approximate and loose.
What part of speech is “exact”?
Depending on how it is used, “exact” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “exact” come from?
The word “exact” comes from Latin. From Latin exactus, "measured out" or "perfected," the past participle of exigere ("to drive out, demand, measure"), from ex- ("out") + agere ("to drive").
Is “exact” a common word?
“Exact” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between exact and accurate?
Accurate means correct and free from error, close to the true value. Exact goes further, meaning perfectly precise with nothing added or missing, down to the finest degree. A measurement can be accurate enough for the job yet not exact. Exact implies an unusually strict, absolute match to a standard or fact.
Is exact a positive word?
Generally, yes. Describing something as exact suggests precision, care, and reliability, which are valued in science, measurement, and detailed work. It carries a neutral-to-positive tone. Only occasionally does a demand for the exact figure feel pedantic. In most settings, exactness signals quality and trustworthiness rather than anything negative.
What is the opposite of exact?
The opposite is inexact, approximate, or rough, describing something that is only close rather than precise. An exact figure is perfectly accurate; an approximate one is a near estimate. Words like vague, loose, and imprecise also stand opposite exact, pointing to values or descriptions that allow a margin of error.
What is an example of exact?
The exact time might be 9:47 and 12 seconds, rather than roughly ten to ten. An exact copy matches the original in every detail. In each case, exact means the value or match is perfectly precise, with nothing rounded, added, or left out.
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