actuality

noun

ac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce actuality (audio)
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 actualitiesT. S. Eliot
Phrases
in actuality
: in actual fact

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 In actuality, though, Bonder — who sells real estate in a small town just north of Pittsburgh — is nearly 92. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Now, what that looks like in actuality is, of course, quite difficult for many people to understand. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 But in actuality these benefits have accelerated faster than the likely true inflation rate due to flaws in the inflation metrics used for the indexing process. George Calhoun, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Still, what some may see as folklore's central weakness is in actuality its greatest strength. Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024 In actuality, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office predicts the deficit is closer to $70 billion. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 Quite a lot of confabulation with language occurs among Stateside publishers to present narratives that are, in actuality, novella length as novels. Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023 Addressing the loneliness epidemic in the disabled community necessitates a nuanced understanding of independence because in actuality, all humans live in a cycle of dependency. TIME, 3 Jan. 2024 In actuality, what makes a book one of the year's best is entirely subjective, and that's what makes reading so fun. Glamour, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'actuality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of actuality was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near actuality

Cite this Entry

“Actuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actuality. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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