exact (exacts 3rd person present) (exacting present participle) (exacted past tense & past participle )
1 adj Exact means correct in every detail. For example, an exact copy is the same in every detail as the thing it is copied from.
usu ADJ n
(=precise) (Antonym: approximate)
I don't remember the exact words..., The exact number of protest calls has not been revealed..., It's an exact copy of the one which was found in Ann Alice's room.
exactly adv usu ADV with cl/group, also ADV after v
(=precisely) (Antonym: approximately)
Try to locate exactly where the smells are entering the room..., Both drugs will be exactly the same..., Barton couldn't remember exactly.
2 adj You use exact before a noun to emphasize that you are referring to that particular thing and no other, especially something that has a particular significance.
ADJ n (emphasis)
I hadn't really thought about it until this exact moment..., It may be that you will feel the exact opposite of what you expected.
exactly adv ADV n/wh
(=precisely, just)
These are exactly the people who do not vote..., He knew exactly what he was doing.
3 adj If you describe someone as exact, you mean that they are very careful and detailed in their work, thinking, or methods.
(=meticulous)
Formal, exact and obstinate, he was also cold, suspicious, touchy and tactless.
4 verb When someone exacts something, they demand and obtain it from another person, especially because they are in a superior or more powerful position.
FORMAL Already he has exacted a written apology from the chairman of the commission... V n from/for n
5 verb If someone exacts revenge on a person, they have their revenge on them.
She uses the media to help her exact a terrible revenge. V n
6 verb If something exacts a high price, it has a bad effect on a person or situation.
The sheer physical effort had exacted a heavy price... V n
The strain of a violent ground campaign will exact a toll on troops. V n on n
8 You say to be exact to indicate that you are slightly correcting or giving more detailed information about what you have been saying.
to be exact phrase PHR with cl/group A small number<endash>five, to be exact<endash>have been bad...
exact science
If you say that a particular activity is not anexact science, you mean that there are no set rules to follow or it does not produce very accurate results. n-sing usu with brd-neg
Forecasting floods is not an exact science.
