Definition Definition

actual - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'actual' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Actual [ a.]
- Involving or comprising action; active.
- Existing in act or reality; really acted or acting; in fact; real; -- opposed to potential, possible, virtual, speculative, conceivable, theoretical, or nominal; as, the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion.
- In action at the time being; now exiting; present; as the actual situation of the country.
2 . Actual [ n.]
- Something actually received; real, as distinct from estimated, receipts.

Meaning of 'actual' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . actual [ a]
Meaning (1):
- presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
Example in sentence:
  • actual and imagined conditions;
  • the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different
2 . actual [ s]
Meaning (2):
- being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
Example in sentence:
  • a genuine dilemma;
  • a literal solitude like a desert;
  • her actual motive
Meaning (3):
- existing in act or fact
Example in sentence:
  • actual heroism;
  • rocks and trees...the actual world;
  • the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced
Meaning (4):
- taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated
Example in sentence:
  • filmed the actual beating;
  • we saw the actual wedding on television
Meaning (5):
- being or existing at the present moment
Example in sentence:
  • the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West