The word "exactly" is spelled with two syllables: /ɪɡˈzæk(t)li/. The initial sound is the voiced palatal fricative /ɡ/, followed by the stressed syllable /ˈzæk/. The final syllable is an unstressed syllable consisting of a reduced vowel /i/ and the clear /t/ sound. This word is often used to emphasize that something is precise, accurate, or correct. It is important to spell words correctly in order to communicate effectively and avoid confusion.
Exactly is an adverb that is used to denote accuracy, precision, or complete agreement with a given statement or situation. It refers to something being done, said, or understood in an utterly precise, proper, or correct manner, leaving no room for doubt or ambiguity.
In its literal sense, exactly indicates that something is performed with perfect accuracy or conformity to a standard or target. It implies that no error or deviation has occurred and that the result is exactly as was intended or expected. For instance, if someone accurately reproduces a painting, they could say, "I have recreated the artwork exactly."
Furthermore, exactly can express complete agreement or consensus with a previous statement or claim. It signifies that the described fact or circumstance is completely true, fitting precisely with what has been mentioned before. For example, if someone states, "He arrived at 7 o'clock exactly," they are emphasizing that the time of arrival was not a minute earlier or later than the specific time indicated.
Additionally, exactly can be used to emphasize that something is an absolute match, without any variation or deviation. This can apply to physical measurements, numerical values, or even someone's intent or reaction. For instance, a tailor creating a bespoke suit may ensure that the measurements match the client's physique exactly.
In summary, exactly represents a high degree of precision, conformity, and certainty, whether relating to accuracy, agreement, or a perfect match.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "exactly" originated from the Latin word "exactus", which is the past participle of "exigere". "Exigere" breaks down into two parts: "ex", meaning "out", and "agere", meaning "to drive". Therefore, "exigere" means "to drive out" or "to weigh out". Over time, the meaning of "exactus" evolved to describe something that is precise, accurate, or performed with great care. Eventually, "exactus" made its way into Old French as "exacte" and then entered Middle English as "exact". Over time, the suffix "-ly" was added to form the adverb "exactly". Thus, the etymology of "exactly" traces back to its Latin and Old French roots.