actually

adverb

ac·​tu·​al·​ly ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē How to pronounce actually (audio)
-sh(ə-w)ə-lē;
ˈaksh-lē,
ˈaks-
1
: in act or in fact : really
trying to find out what actually happened
won't actually arrive for an hour
2
: in point of fact
used to suggest something unexpected
was surprised to learn that she could actually speak German

Examples of actually in a Sentence

actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home I call her Aunt Emily, but she is actually my cousin, not my aunt.
Recent Examples on the Web Biden’s State of the Union address actually was one of the best by any president in a long time. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 But that segment was actually pre-taped, in order to make sure the gag worked. Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 However, in a February Instagram post, the blogger said his sources were wrong and Graziadei is actually engaged to Kelsey Anderson. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2024 Glazer designed the film to never actually show what is unfolding inside the camp, instead relying on an eerie soundscape created by Johnnie Burn and Tarn Willers—both of whom took home the Oscar for Best Sound—that hints at the horrors. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 Cord Jefferson’s rise from Gawker blogger to Oscar contender Some of the presenters were … actually pretty funny? Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Funny enough, Peso didn’t actually know Tito very well growing up. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 James says the lounge is actually equipped to handle more than 500 guests and that the team will work out ways to fluctuate numbers. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 March was actually a peak time for the flu in six of the last 40 years, according to the CDC. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'actually.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English actuelly, from actuel, actual actual + -ly -ly entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of actually was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near actually

Cite this Entry

“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actually. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

actually

adverb
ac·​tu·​al·​ly ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē How to pronounce actually (audio)
ˈak-sh(ə-w)ə-lē
: in fact or in truth : really
she actually spoke Spanish
actually, I didn't want to go

More from Merriam-Webster on actually

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