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, Sinatra showed up at the dinner, pretending to be a musician hired for her party. Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024 But using affirmative action as a diversity program — or a program to alleviate disadvantage that any nonwhite person faces — has in actuality played a part in excluding the very people for whom affirmative action and other racial redress programs were created to help. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on actuality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!