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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | exactus, past participle of exigere; EXACT2 |
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ex‧act1 S3
1 completely correct in every detail : Police are still investigating the exact cause of the accident. What were his exact words? The timing had to be exact.
Police are still investigating the exact cause of the accident.What were his exact words?The timing had to be exact. exact date/time/number/amount etc I know her birthday's in July, but I can't remember the exact date.
I know her birthday's in July, but I can't remember the exact date. exact copy/replica etc It's not an exact copy, but most people wouldn't notice the difference. Some concepts in Chinese medicine have no exact equivalent in Western medicine.
It's not an exact copy, but most people wouldn't notice the difference.Some concepts in Chinese medicine have no exact equivalent in Western medicine.2 used to emphasize that what you are saying is exact : She has worked at the bank for many years, nine to be exact.
to be exact
formalShe has worked at the bank for many years, nine to be exact.3 used to emphasize that the same thing is involved : the exact colour I was looking for He came into the room at the exact moment I mentioned his name.
the exact colour/moment/type etc
the exact colour I was looking forHe came into the room at the exact moment I mentioned his name.4 someone or something that is as different as possible from another person or thing : Gina's the exact opposite of her little sister.
the exact opposite (of somebody/something)
Gina's the exact opposite of her little sister.5 if you say that an activity is not an exact science, you mean that it involves opinions, guessing etc : Predicting the weather is not an exact science.
something is not an exact science
Predicting the weather is not an exact science.6 someone who is exact is very careful and thorough in what they do [= precise]
—exactness noun [uncountable]
