Exact Meaning
/ɪɡˈzækt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPrecisely agreeing with a standard, a fact, or the truth; perfectly conforming; neither exceeding nor falling short in any respect.
adjHabitually careful to agree with a standard, a rule, or a promise; accurate; methodical; punctual.
Sentence Examples
Life is not an exact science, it is an art.
Scholarship must always be exact whether it is interesting or not.
The new palace is an exact replica of the original building.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Please give me the ____ time of the meeting.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The engineer needed the ____ measurements to ensure that the bridge was safe to cross.
Word Origin & History
From Latin exāctus (the verb via Middle English exact), perfect passive participle of exigō (“demand, claim as due; measure by a standard, weigh, test”), from ex (“out”) + agō (“drive”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I see thou art exact of taste."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book VIII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]"
— 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond:
"An exact command,
Larded with many several sorts of reason."
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
"He said into them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 3:13:
"Their goal is retributive: to exact a price from Palestinian civilians (and in some cases left-wing Israeli Jews, Christians, and Israeli security forces) for actions Israeli authorities take against the settlers, usually building enforcement in illegally built settlements."
— 2018, Edo Konrad, “Living in the constant shadow of settler violence”, in +972 Magazine:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Please give me the ____ time of the meeting.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The engineer needed the ____ measurements to ensure that the bridge was safe to cross.