noun
-
true existence; reality
-
(sometimes plural) a fact or condition that is real
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of actuality
1350–1400; Middle English actualite < Medieval Latin āctuālitās. See actual, -ity
Explanation
Actuality is the quality of being real or true. You might wish you could make friends with a bear, but in actuality, you should definitely not climb into the grizzly enclosure at the zoo. Use this word for anything that's objectively factual — you may be terrified of flying, but in actuality it's much safer than riding in a car. Before it meant "state of being real," the word actuality was defined as "power," from the Latin root actus, or "doing." The meaning had shifted by the 1670s, first to "existing conditions," from the French actuel, "up to date," and then to the current definition.
Vocabulary lists containing actuality
Novel Study: American Born Chinese, Pages 85–233
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
Low salaries make it hard to attract quality candidates.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
While organizing his first meet, Williams said he was stunned that it had taken only a few days, phone calls and text messages to attract quality fields.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2022
The Magpies know the further adrift they are on 1 January, when they have a chance to spend some of their Saudi owners' money, the harder it will be to attract quality players.
From BBC • Nov. 27, 2021
As long as the Lakers live in the past and it remains the Kobe Kingdom, it will be impossible to attract quality free agents.
From Forbes • Jul. 3, 2015
Piniella was asked if he believed Seattle can't attract quality free agents because of the ballpark, climate and geographic isolation of the city.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2010
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.
