precisely

Precisely is an adverb meaning “in a precise manner; exactly; strictly.” It is used to stress exactness, to indicate that something is true to a specific degree, or to limit a statement to its exact scope.

Etymology: The word derives from the adjective precise, which comes from Old French precis (14th century) meaning “exact,” and ultimately from Latin precisus “cut off, exact.”

Usage: In everyday speech, precisely can function as a strong confirmation or clarification, often in response to a prior statement. It can also introduce a correction or a specification that leaves little room for ambiguity. In scientific and mathematical contexts, it underscores a defined value or procedure and is frequently paired with numbers or measurements.

Examples: “The instrument must be calibrated precisely to five decimal places.” “He arrived precisely at 15:00.” “To be precise, the item costs $12.50.” In discourse, it can emphasize agreement, or set a strict boundary for what is being described.

Related terms: precise, precision, exact, and accuracy. In contrast with approximate or roughly, precisely signals a higher degree of certainty or a stricter boundary. Preciseness is valued in technical writing, engineering, and mathematics for reducing ambiguity and ensuring reproducibility.