English Lexicon

Actually

/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/
adverbCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #145 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adverb
  1. 1

    As the truth or facts of a matter; really.

    "He didn't actually expect to win the competition."
  2. 2

    Used to highlight an unexpected or surprising detail.

    "She actually finished the marathon in under three hours."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the adjective actual, originating from Late Latin actualis, from Latin actus (an act). It evolved in the late 16th century to mean in act or in fact, gradually shifting in modern usage to express emphasis, truth, or mild surprise.

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