Skip to content
adverb

actually

/ˈæktʃuːəli/

in reality or truth; used to emphasize a surprising or corrective fact

Definitions

  1. 1

    Used to indicate what is really true, especially when it contradicts expectations or a previous statement

    “I thought the movie would be boring, but it actually was great.”

    I thought the movie would be boring, but it really was great.

  2. 2

    Used to politely correct or clarify something someone said

    “Actually, the meeting starts at three, not two o'clock.”

    To correct you: the meeting starts at three, not two o'clock.

  3. 3

    Used to introduce a new or slightly surprising piece of information

    “She actually speaks four languages fluently, which surprised everyone.”

    She really does speak four languages fluently, which surprised everyone.

Word forms

Usage
Adverb formed from the adjective 'actual' + '-ly'; does not change form.

Very common in spoken English, often used at the start of a sentence to soften a correction or disagreement. Not related to 'actual events' in the sense of 'currently'; it does not mean 'now' or 'at present' (a common false friend confusion for speakers of languages where a similar-looking word means 'currently').