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Punctual vs Exactly - What's the difference?

punctual | exactly |

As an adjective punctual

is prompt or on time.

As an adverb exactly is

(manner) without approximation; precisely.

As an interjection exactly is

(signifies agreement or recognition).

punctual

English

Alternative forms

* punctuall (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • prompt or on time
  • # (of an event ) Happening at the appointed time
  • # (of a person ) Acting at the appointed time
  • Luis is never late; he's the most punctual person I know.
  • (mathematics) Existing as a point or series of points
  • (linguistics) Expressing momentary action that has no duration

    • Related terms

    * point * pointwise * punctilious * punctuate * punctuality * punctuation

    External links

    * *

    exactly

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (manner) without approximation; precisely.
    • Measure exactly so we can be sure it is right.
    The edge is not exactly straight.
  • (focus) Used to provide emphasis.
    • It was exactly an Eastern gray squirrel.
    He divided the coins exactly in half.
    He did it that way exactly to prove the point.
    His complaint was exactly that she failed to meet the deadline by four days.

    Antonyms

    * approximately

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (Signifies agreement or recognition)
    • So you're saying that we have only three days left? / Yes, exactly !