actual

[ ak-choo-uhl ]
See synonyms for: actualactualness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. existing in act or fact; real: an actual case of heroism; actual expenses.

  2. existing now; present; current: The ship's actual position is 22 miles due east of Miami.

  1. Obsolete. pertaining to or involving acts or action.

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Origin of actual

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; from Late Latin āctuālis, from Latin āctu(s) act + -ālis -al1; replacing Middle English actuel, from Middle French, from Latin

synonym study For actual

1. See real1.

Other words for actual

Opposites for actual

Other words from actual

  • ac·tu·al·ness, noun
  • non·ac·tu·al, adjective
  • non·ac·tu·al·ness, noun

Words Nearby actual

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How to use actual in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for actual

actual

/ (ˈæktʃʊəl) /


adjective
  1. existing in reality or as a matter of fact

  2. real or genuine

  1. existing at the present time; current

  2. (usually preceded by your) British informal, often facetious (intensifier): that music's by your actual Mozart, isn't it?

Origin of actual

1
C14: actuel existing, from Late Latin āctuālis relating to acts, practical, from Latin āctus act

usage For actual

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012