Origin: Latin
prefix pre-
Precisely has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
Adverb
Adverb
1
indicating exactness or preciseness
"he was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do"
"it was just as he said--the jewel was gone"
"it has just enough salt"
"Properly speaking, all true work is religion."
2
in a precise manner
"she always expressed herself precisely"
3
just as it should be
"`Precisely, my lord,' he said"
4
In a precise manner; exactly.
"The clock struck precisely at midnight."
In plain English: Precisely means exactly right with no mistakes at all.
"He arrived precisely at nine o'clock for our meeting."
Example Sentences
"He arrived precisely at nine o'clock for our meeting."
adv
"The train arrived precisely at noon on the dot."
adv
"She needs to tie her shoes precisely so they don't slip off."
adv
"Please read these instructions precisely before you begin cooking."
adv
Related Terms
Show all 34 terms ↓
Origin
The word precisely comes from combining the adjective precise with the suffix -ly to form an adverb. It entered English directly from French rather than evolving from a different root meaning.