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

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

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

From Los Angeles Times