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precisely

precisely

470 3.4
Show that something is exactly right or that you agree
  • adverb
  • /prɪˈsaɪsli/
translation icon : exactamente
  • What precisely did you have in mind?
  • precisely the point
  • more precisely
  • precisely the same

It's, you know, the precisely correct word to use.

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Examples

Synonyms

just
vsprecisely
1.0

Exactly the thing or amount needed

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
exactly
vsprecisely
1.0

In a completely correct way

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
indeed
vsprecisely
1.0

To emphasize and agree that something is true

adds a sense of correctness beyond mere agreement
perfectly
vsprecisely
775 1.0

Completely, to show that something is true

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
accurately
vsprecisely
163 3.0

In a correct and exact way

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
just so
vsprecisely
39 4.4

To do something in a careful, exact way to get the right result

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
to be precise
vsprecisely
17 3.7

A phrase that gives more exact information about what was just said

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something
to a T
vsprecisely
  • Informal
10 7.6

In a way that is exact in every detail

is used to stress correctness and to agree with something

Antonyms

524 3.2

Near the exact number or amount

5.7

In a way that is not exact or precise

How Exact

to the letter
  • Formal
23 4.4
exactly
1.0
precisely
470 3.4
accurately
163 3.0
approximately
524 3.2
about
1.0
roughly
373 1.6

Surface Forms

precisely positive
preciselyer comparative
preciselyest superlative

Morphology

precisely = precise (transparent) = precise + ly

Formed by the productive adjective->adverb derivation with -ly; the meaning 'exactly' follows directly from 'precise'.

Etymology

Precisely comes from the Latin praecisus, meaning 'cut off', and is related to precision. Think of cutting away extra words or details until only the exact idea is left, so precisely is used to mean 'exactly so'.