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actually
actually
adverb ac·tu·al·ly \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>
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Examples of ACTUALLY
- <actually, I'd rather spend the evening at home>
- <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
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