actually

adverb

ac·tu·al·ly ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē

-sh(ə-w)ə-lē;

ˈaksh-lē,

ˈaks-

Synonyms of actually next

: in act or in fact : really

trying to find out what actually happened

won't actually arrive for an hour

: in point of fact

—used to suggest something unexpected

was surprised to learn that she could actually speak German

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web For a more tousled look, Simich actually recommends using a hair waver on day two hair. —

elle.com, 7 Apr. 2023 The Lego Movie and Toy Story theory Instead of Truman Show, other Internet sleuths think the trailer actually gives more of a Lego Movie vibe—where the plot is revealed to be a young child playing with Lego sets. —

Town & Country, 7 Apr. 2023 But they've actually been associated with good luck and a connection to the universe for years. —

Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 7 Apr. 2023 That tender yet ambiguous moment was actually Wong’s idea. —

Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 7 Apr. 2023 Whether anyone actually believes this is up for debate — if true, that amount would equate to a $1.825 million per year windfall for Sting (and Sting alone, as he’s credited as the song’s sole writer). —

Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2023 The company uses procedures that can’t actually ensure its products are sterile, FDA staff wrote. —

Wire Reports, oregonlive, 6 Apr. 2023 NBC//Getty Images But what actually caused the death of the daytime TV doctor? —

Ginny Hogan, Men's Health, 6 Apr. 2023 Now, state Democrats have introduced S.B. 348, which amends portions of Measure 114 but would actually essentially replace it. —

Emma Colton, Fox News, 6 Apr. 2023 See More

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