actuality

noun

ac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

ˌak-shə-

plural actualities

1

: the quality or state of being actual

2

: something that is actual : fact, reality

possible risks which have been seized upon as actualities

—T. S. Eliot

Phrases

in actuality

: in actual fact

Synonyms

• corporality
• corporeality
• existence
• reality
• subsistence
• thingness

Examples of actuality in a Sentence

The actuality was quite different from the theory.

the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the concept in actuality was an abject failure. —Jannelle Moore, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025

In actuality, everyone else was in on Arora's plot to propose. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025

In actuality, this experiment was mostly over before that. —Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

The actuality is the light of life or God shining through the artists, getting refracted through the artist towards the listener. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English actualite "capacity for action, effective power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuālitāt-, āctuālitās, from Late Latin āctuālis actual + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2