actually

ac·tu·al·ly

adverb \ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē, -sh(ə-w)ə-lē; ˈaksh-lē, ˈaks-\

—used to refer to what is true or real

—used to stress that a statement is true especially when it differs in some way from what might have been thought or expected

Full Definition of ACTUALLY

1

:  in act or in fact :  really <nominally but not actually independent — Karl Loewenstein> <won't actually arrive for an hour>

2

:  in point of fact —used to suggest something unexpected <he could actually read the Greek>

Sharpen your SCRABBLE^® skills with
our SCRABBLE Sprint game »

Examples of ACTUALLY

1. <actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home>
2. <I call her Aunt Emily, but she is actually my cousin, not my aunt.>

First Known Use of ACTUALLY

15th century

Related to ACTUALLY

Synonyms

admittedly, forsooth, frankly, honestly, indeed, really, truly, truthfully, verily, as a matter of fact, in actuality, in fact, in point of fact, in reality, in truth, to be sure

Antonyms

professedly, supposedly

Related Words

absolutely, certainly, indisputably, indubitably, positively, realistically, undoubtedly, unquestionably, veritably

Near Antonyms

apparently, ostensibly, outwardly, plausibly, seemingly