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
Advocates are reframing this latest hurdle as another opportunity that could actually lead to Idahoans and others across the country joining the RECA program and receiving some justice for the generational harms caused by the U.S. atomic program.
—
Danielle Prokop, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2024
But now Huddleston, 54, has emerged as the nexus of questions swirling around the museum, which, despite the recent gala, did not actually open as scheduled.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
Sorry, places with snow and winters where water actually turns to ice.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 June 2024
Crime statistics in New York City are actually much lower today than in the 1990s, a decade in which Trump ally Rudy Giuliani was elected to his two terms as mayor.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for actually 
Danielle Prokop, Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2024
But now Huddleston, 54, has emerged as the nexus of questions swirling around the museum, which, despite the recent gala, did not actually open as scheduled.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2024
Sorry, places with snow and winters where water actually turns to ice.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 June 2024
Crime statistics in New York City are actually much lower today than in the 1990s, a decade in which Trump ally Rudy Giuliani was elected to his two terms as mayor.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for actually
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 6 Jun. 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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