actually

adverb

ac·​tu·​al·​ly ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē 

-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

Synonyms

• admittedly
• forsooth
• frankly
• honestly
• indeed
• really
• truly
• truthfully
• verily

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

But do dogs actually need interaction with their own species? —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

In addition to strengthening the right muscles to avoid this condition from worsening, the toe separators have actually helped to reduce the bunion all together. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 16 Dec. 2024

The mineral oil will actually help protect the copper from oxidation by creating another layer the oxygen will have to work through to get to the copper itself. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

Harbaugh put too much weight on the turnovers and overestimated how his defense was actually playing. —Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

actually

adverb

ac·​tu·​al·​ly ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē 

ˈak-sh(ə-w)ə-lē

: in fact or in truth : really

she actually spoke Spanish

actually, I didn't want to go