actual

adjective

ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl 

-sh(ə-w)əl;

-chü-əl,

-shü-

1

a

: existing in fact or reality

actual events

actual and imagined conditions

b

: not false or apparent

actual costs

c

—used for emphasis

This is the actual room in which my grandfather was born.

2

: existing or occurring at the time

caught in the actual commission of a crime

3

obsolete : active

Synonyms

• concrete
• de facto
• effective
• existent
• factual
• genuine
• real
• sure-enough
• true
• very

Examples of actual in a Sentence

They signed the agreement in the spring, but the actual sale wasn't made until that summer.

You deposit money in a bank account but the actual money is not held there.

The actual cost of the repair was much higher than the estimate.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the growth of nonhuman influencers comes at a time when actual performers are worried about how digitization and automation through artificial intelligence could impact future work. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

This is the first episode in which Good Times exhibits some clear ideas, though the actual attempts at humor fall flat. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024

Black American culture has always been a powerful engine of innovation, but this has too rarely translated into actual financial rewards for Black people. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

Neither had been actual range hands or even hailed from the regional West or South. —TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

Coachella's food scene is almost as exciting as the actual lineup. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024

How To Choose The Right Bangs To Try, According To Your Personality And Face Shape How To Ask For Fringe Bangs These type of fringe bangs are made for someone who wants to keep the actual styling to a minimum, while still freshening up their look in a way that frames your face so flatteringly. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2024

Tthe Secret Service said, historically, the buildout and takedown takes a few days before and after the actual event. —Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Additionally, Trump cannot comment on potential and actual jurors were on the participation of witnesses in the case. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "active, existing in fact," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French actuel, borrowed from Late Latin āctuālis, from Latin āctus act entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing actual

• actual cash value
• in actual fact

Kids Definition

actual

adjective

ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl 

ˈak-sh(ə-w)əl

: existing in fact and not merely as a possibility

actuality

ˌak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē

-shə-

noun

actualization

ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lə-ˈzā-shən

-sh(ə-w)ə-

noun

actualize

-ˌīz

verb

Legal Definition

actual

adjective

ac·​tu·​al

: existing in fact or reality compare constructive

actually adverb