actually — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.

   Usage

   • modal
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   His promises did not correspond with what he actually did.

2. Actively.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   Neither actually […] nor passively.

3. Currently; at the time.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   At the time whereof we are writing, though the Great George was on the throne and ladies wore gigots and large combs like tortoise-shell shovels in their hair, instead of the simple sleeves and lovely wreaths which are actually in fashion, the manners of the very polite world were not, I take it, essentially different from those of the present day: and their amusements pretty similar.

Interjection

1. Indicating affirmation, agreement.

   Usage

   • Philippines
   • Informal

   Synonyms

   really

   Examples

   A: That was a pretty good movie.

   B: Actually!

Adverb

1. in actual fact

   Synonyms

   reallyproperly speakingstrictly speakingto be precise

   Examples

   to be nominally but not actually independent

   no one actually saw the shark

   More examples (2)

   large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt

   properly speaking, they are not husband and wife

2. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly

   Synonyms

   in reality

   Examples

   you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out

   she actually spoke Latin

   More examples (2)

   they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets

   people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous

3. at present

   Examples

   the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air

4. as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis; as a modifier to add slight emphasis

   Examples

   actually, we all help clear up after a meal

   actually, I haven't seen the film

   More examples (2)

   I'm not all that surprised actually

   she hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually