Synonyms

actuality

American

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

noun

plural

actualities

actual existence; reality.
an actual condition or circumstance; fact.

Space travel is now an actuality.

actuality British

/ ˌæktʃʊˈælɪtɪ /

noun

true existence; reality
(sometimes plural) a fact or condition that is real

"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

Other Word Forms

nonactuality noun

Etymology

Origin of actuality

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

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.

The five years, in actuality, starts from the point at which United get the green light to put spades in the ground.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In actuality, LWD didn’t have much to do with Mamdani’s success.

From Slate • Jul. 30, 2025

Upon opening my eyes, I discover the ‘brook’ is, in actuality, a horse releasing a powerful stream of urine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

In actuality, DoorDash pocketed those tips, adding the funds to the driver's base pay instead of giving them the full tips they earned.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2025

‘And it feels like a suitcase. So if you believe in the actuality of suitcases I reckon this is one, all right.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023