actuality

American  

[ak-choo-al-i-tee] / ˌæk tʃuˈæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

actualities

1. actual existence; reality.

2. an actual condition or circumstance; fact.

   Space travel is now an actuality.

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actuality British  

/ ˌæktʃʊˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. true existence; reality

2. (sometimes plural) a fact or condition that is real

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Other Word Forms

• nonactuality noun

Etymology

Origin of actuality

1350–1400; Middle English actualite < Medieval Latin āctuālitās. See actual, -ity

Example Sentences

In actuality, “The Housemaid” is about as depraved and delicious as a mainstream film can get, packed with narrative twists and guffaw-worthy choices from everyone involved.

From Salon

But the disconnect between the show’s stated purpose and its actuality is telegraphed in a title that blares Dahmer’s name twice.

From Salon

In actuality, the song draws from “a three- or four-day period of my life that I blew up into this big thing,” Rapp said.

From Los Angeles Times

In actuality, the audience needs space to breathe.

From Salon

I refuse to invoke the phrase, "Elementary, my dear Watson," since it's one that's been famously misattributed to Holmes, though, in actuality, found nowhere in Doyle's pages.

From Salon