actuality

noun

ac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

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 actualities …

—T. S. Eliot

see also:

in actuality

Synonyms of actuality

• existence

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, the Oscars are being held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026

The striped sofa, in actuality, was a light blue stripe. —Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026

In actuality, Sedaka toured as recently as 2019, and — after the COVID-19 shutdown of live events ended — did a full concert in Palm Springs in 2023. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

And in actuality, the number is much higher than that. —Time Staff, Time, 25 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing actuality

• in actuality

Rhymes for actuality

• angiography
• laryngoscopy
• ostracod
• predominately
• sensuality
• stochastically
• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• agouti
• allottee