Definition Definition

actually - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'actually' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Actually [ adv.]
- Actively.
- In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.

Meaning of 'actually' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . actually [ r]
Meaning (1):
- as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis
Example in sentence:
  • actually, I haven't seen the film;
  • actually, we all help clear up after a meal;
  • I'm not all that surprised actually;
  • she hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually
Meaning (2):
- at the present moment
Example in sentence:
  • goods now on sale;
  • he is busy at present writing a new novel;
  • it could happen any time now;
  • the now-aging dictator;
  • the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air;
  • they are now abroad
Meaning (3):
- in actual fact
Example in sentence:
  • large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt;
  • no one actually saw the shark;
  • properly speaking, they are not husband and wife;
  • to be nominally but not actually independent
Meaning (4):
- used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly
Example in sentence:
  • people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous;
  • she actually spoke Latin;
  • they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets;
  • you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out

Nearby Words:

act actable acted actinal actinaria acting actinia actiniae actinias actinic

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