Zackly
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "zackly" is a dialect form of "exactly." It means the same thing, but carries a down-home flavor in pronunciation.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
In our house, it normally comes like 'a'zackly', but unhillbillies may not notice the 'a.' Some people say 'zacksly' or 'zaxly.' Hillbilly Dude Says...
In our house, it normally comes like 'a'zackly', but unhillbillies may not notice the 'a.' Some people say 'zacksly' or 'zaxly.' Pronunciation
[ZACK-lee]
Meaning & Usage
- Exactly; precisely (adverb)
Mae:
That pie tastes like Granny’s.
That pie tastes like Granny’s.
Earl:
Zackly right.
Zackly right.variations: exactly, zacksly, ’zactly, a’zackly
★ "Zackly" is one of many clipped pronunciations in Southern/Appalachian talk (*pert near* for "pretty near," *’bout* for "about"). It shows how everyday words shift in rhythm and sound. ★
Origin and Etymology
From "exactly," reduced in dialect speech to "’zactly" and then "zackly." Collected in Appalachian and Southern dialect studies, and common in oral storytelling.
Usage Notes
Still used playfully in the South and Appalachia, often in writing to mimic local speech. Rare outside the region, except when folksy style is intended.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "zack-lee." Or "a-zack-lee." A shortened form of "exactly."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 22). Zackly. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zackly
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Zackly." HillbillySlang.com, 22 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zackly.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Zackly." HillbillySlang.com. September 22, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/zackly.
advertisement...
Most Popular
About
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...Slang, folklore, culture, and accent vary from place to place, even ridge to ridge - this is how I know it. Read the full disclaimer and terms of use • Privacy Policy
© Hillbilly Slang | Original audio and content not for reproduction or AI training without permission. Keeping the Mountains Talking 'Til The Cows Come Home