actually

American  

[ak-choo-uh-lee] / ˈæk tʃu ə li /

adverb

1. as an actual or existing fact; really.

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actually British  

/ ˈæktʃʊəlɪ /

adverb

1. 1. as an actual fact; really

   2. ( as sentence modifier )

      actually, I haven't seen him

2. at present

3. informal a parenthetic filler used to add slight emphasis

   I don't know, actually

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Usage

Spelling tips for actually The word actually is hard to spell because it uses a double l. How to spell actually: The word actually is often used for emphasis. Keep in mind that to really make your point, you need Lots of Ls (a double l).

Etymology

Origin of actually

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; actual ( def. ), + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

“The experience that I actually had, I would say, proved that point.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's a huge blow because I think Liverpool were actually one attacker short anyway," former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.

From Barron's

It is hard to imagine U.S. consumers actually wanting balanced trade; it would only come about through significant reductions in already tightening consumer spending or a softening of foreign demand for U.S. assets.

From Barron's

The present system gives car makers too much credit for improvements to already-thrifty cars and not enough for improvements that would actually have a greater effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

While thinner cuticles leave individual ants more vulnerable, the authors suggest this tradeoff may actually encourage the growth of large societies.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• absolutely
• for real
• genuinely
• in fact
• indeed
• literally
• really
• truly
• verily