Actual Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

actual

adjective

ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl How to pronounce actual (audio)
-sh(ə-w)əl;
-chü-əl,
-shü-
1
a
: existing in fact or reality
actual events
actual and imagined conditions
b
: not false or apparent
actual costs
c
used for emphasis
This is the actual room in which my grandfather was born.
2
: existing or occurring at the time
caught in the actual commission of a crime
3
obsolete : active

Examples of actual in a Sentence

They signed the agreement in the spring, but the actual sale wasn't made until that summer. You deposit money in a bank account but the actual money is not held there. The actual cost of the repair was much higher than the estimate.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s little point in it now, perhaps, because actual teens may not be babysitting so much anymore. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Summer expected the State Bar to rely on McAfee's opinion, which found the appearance of impropriety in the case, but not the existence of an actual conflict of interest. Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Experts agree that the key to the practice not ending in an actual divorce is communication. Keyaira Boone, Essence, 16 Mar. 2024 Forms of Choline There are different forms of choline supplements that can vary in the amount of actual choline your body can absorb and utilize.785 Choline can be listed as a compound amount or the actual amount of choline. Casey Seiden, Parents, 15 Mar. 2024 Judge McAfee had rejected a defense claim that the relationship had raised an actual conflict of interest by giving Ms. Willis a financial stake in the case. Danny Hakim, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 These were bizarre choices for a show that doesn’t otherwise delve into actual paranormal activity, and Torres knew it. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Other work involves digitizing continuity logs — actual paper scripts used on set with handwritten notes about camera movement, actor placement, and more — from classic movies. Brent Simon, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The actual wedding will take place over the next year in various destinations spread across Europe and India. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "active, existing in fact," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French actuel, borrowed from Late Latin āctuālis, from Latin āctus act entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of actual was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near actual

Cite this Entry

“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actual. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

actual

adjective
ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl How to pronounce actual (audio)
ˈak-sh(ə-w)əl
: existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
actuality
ˌak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē
-shə-
noun
actualization
ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
-sh(ə-w)ə-
noun
actualize
-ˌīz
verb

Legal Definition

actual

adjective
ac·​tu·​al
: existing in fact or reality compare constructive
actually adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on actual

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