actual
Americanadjective
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existing in reality or as a matter of fact
-
real or genuine
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existing at the present time; current
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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
Related Words
See real 1.
Other Word Forms
- actualness noun
- nonactual adjective
- nonactualness noun
Etymology
Origin of actual
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
Compare meaning
How does actual compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mazzei adds, “Unfortunately with the structure of the way credits work, there’s no actual official way to say, ‘Hey, we made this movie together’ other than to share a film-by credit.
From Los Angeles Times
The more children seek social stimulation online, the less actual interaction they have with friends in person.
"You're actually having to compromise a wee bit on the actual facilities at some places," he explained.
From BBC
These details are mostly new, but the broad contours of the plot stick firmly to the narrative of the movie, based on an actual incident that took place in 1972.
“I know he’s my actual uncle, but why can’t he stay where the other strays do?”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
