actually
adverb
ac·tu·al·ly
ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē 
-sh(ə-w)ə-lē;
ˈaksh-lē,
ˈaks-
1
: in act or in fact : really
trying to find out what actually happened
won't actually arrive for an hour
2
: in point of fact
—used to suggest something unexpected
was surprised to learn that she could actually speak German
Synonyms
Examples of actually in a Sentence
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
One of the main reasons is wild tomato genes have been pulled in and crossed for disease resistance and nutritional content is actually widening the gene pool of our food.
—
Sasa Woodruff, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
But some gyms are actually embracing these slimming medications.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2024
However, shoplifting incidents in L.A. County in late 2022 were actually lower than in 2014, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank that analyzed state Department of Justice statistics.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
Business management experts note that employees must have the freedom to choose their volunteer activities, nonprofit partners and time commitments for fruitful bonds to actually develop.
—James Pollard, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024
Usefulness: Look for gifts that your recipient would actually use for self-care.
—Sarah Garone, Parents, 28 Apr. 2024
Despite low revenues from lagging water sales, the authority has actually buffered recent rate increases by dipping into its water stabilization fund and reserves over the past couple of years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Not even the ones that sort of looked like me actually looked like me.
—Juliane Bergmann, WIRED, 28 Apr. 2024
However, neither daughter had ever actually participated in the sport.
—EW.com, 27 Apr. 2024
Sasa Woodruff, NPR, 28 Apr. 2024
But some gyms are actually embracing these slimming medications.
—Bruce Gil, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2024
However, shoplifting incidents in L.A. County in late 2022 were actually lower than in 2014, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank that analyzed state Department of Justice statistics.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024
Business management experts note that employees must have the freedom to choose their volunteer activities, nonprofit partners and time commitments for fruitful bonds to actually develop.
—James Pollard, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024
Usefulness: Look for gifts that your recipient would actually use for self-care.
—Sarah Garone, Parents, 28 Apr. 2024
Despite low revenues from lagging water sales, the authority has actually buffered recent rate increases by dipping into its water stabilization fund and reserves over the past couple of years.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024
Not even the ones that sort of looked like me actually looked like me.
—Juliane Bergmann, WIRED, 28 Apr. 2024
However, neither daughter had ever actually participated in the sport.
—EW.com, 27 Apr. 2024
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.
Dictionary Entries Near actually
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actually. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
actually
adverb
ac·tu·al·ly
ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lē
ˈak-sh(ə-w)ə-lē
: in fact or in truth : really
she actually spoke Spanish
actually, I didn't want to go
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