actually

[ ak-choo-uh-lee ]

adverb

1. as an actual or existing fact; really.

actually

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of actually¹

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

Example Sentences

So now imagine you could do that same thought experiment, but not just doing it at random, doing it at a large scale while having some metric of screening for those who actually had both the greatest competence as well as the greatest commitment and knowledge of the Constitution.

From Slate

Spain’s Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo told the BBC: "We need to be positive here and optimistic that a better deal can be actually closed on that front."

From BBC

"It's like the penny was dropping, the expectation is that you’re there for a job, and actually you’re just there as a potential piece of meat."

From BBC

What was here in potential was an immersive experience — maybe the first of its kind — where you can faithfully represent your live performance so that there’s only a few giveaways that it’s not actually happening live in front of you.

From Los Angeles Times

But there actually is something kind of raw about the movie.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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