precisely
prih-SYS-lee
Precisely (adverb) means In an exact way; exactly. Example: “Measure the flour precisely, or the cake may not rise.”
adverb
1
In an exact way; exactly.
"Measure the flour precisely, or the cake may not rise."
"The two lines meet precisely in the middle of the page."
"The train arrived precisely at nine o'clock."
2
Used on its own to emphatically agree with something just said.
""So you're saying we should wait?" "Precisely.""
How to use precisely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExactly — either describing an exact detail, or used alone as a strong "yes, exactly."
Common pairings
precisely at
precisely what
precisely because
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more precisely
- Superlative
- most precisely
Fill the gap
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Measure the flour _____, or the cake may not rise.
Etymology
From precise plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
imprecisely
Related words
Rhymes for precisely
See all rhymes for precisely →Frequently asked questions
What does “precisely” mean?
The word “precisely” means in an exact way; exactly. In plain terms, exactly — either describing an exact detail, or used alone as a strong "yes, exactly.".
How do you pronounce “precisely”?
“Precisely” is pronounced prih-SYS-lee (/pɹɪˈsaɪs.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “precisely” in a sentence?
Here is “precisely” used in a sentence: “The train arrived precisely at nine o'clock.”
What part of speech is “precisely”?
“Precisely” is an adverb.
Is “precisely” a common word?
“Precisely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “precisely” have?
“Precisely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in an exact way; exactly.
What is the difference between "precisely" and "exactly"?
"Precisely" and "exactly" are very close in meaning, and both stress accuracy with no room for error. "Precisely" can sound slightly more formal or technical, but in most sentences the two are interchangeable, as in "at precisely nine o'clock" or "at exactly nine o'clock."
Can you use "precisely" on its own as a reply?
Yes. "Precisely" can stand alone as an emphatic way of agreeing with what someone has just said, meaning "exactly right." For example, if a colleague sums up your point, you might simply answer, "Precisely."
When should you use "precisely" instead of "about" or "roughly"?
Use "precisely" when you want to stress that a figure or detail is exact and not an estimate, as in "the meeting starts at precisely 3 p.m." Use "about" or "roughly" when the amount is only approximate, since these words signal the opposite of precision.
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