actual

[ak-choo-uhl]

adjective

1. existing in act or fact; real.

   an actual case of heroism; actual expenses.

   Synonyms: veritable, authentic, genuine
   Antonyms: fictional, unreal

2. existing now; present; current.

   The ship's actual position is 22 miles due east of Miami.

3. Obsolete.,  pertaining to or involving acts or action.

actual

/ ˈæktʃʊəl /

adjective

1. existing in reality or as a matter of fact

2. real or genuine

3. existing at the present time; current

4. informal,  (usually preceded by your) (intensifier)

   that music's by your actual Mozart, isn't it?

Usage

The excessive use of actual and actually should be avoided. They are unnecessary in sentences such as in actual fact, he is forty-two, and he did actually go to the play but did not enjoy it

Other Word Forms

• actualness noun
• nonactual adjective
• nonactualness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of actual¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Late Latin āctuālis, from Latin āctu(s) act + -ālis -al ¹; replacing Middle English actuel, from Middle French, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of actual¹

C14: actuel existing, from Late Latin āctuālis relating to acts, practical, from Latin āctus _act

Synonym Study

See real ¹.

Example Sentences

A party spokesperson said "in actual elections, more and more people are backing the Liberal Democrats".

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It's not the actual flu, and it's rarely serious.

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There’s definitely never any actual moment in which he was ever scared or anything like that.

Read more on Salon

But pre–social media, the Disney adult was rarely spotted in the wild outside an actual Disney property.

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“Criminalizing the care doesn’t stop the actual complications associated with pregnancy. It just makes it more dangerous and traumatic,” she added.

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Related Words

• certain 
• existing 
• physical 
• real 
• substantial 
• substantive