actually
Americanadverb
adverb
-
-
as an actual fact; really
-
( as sentence modifier )
actually, I haven't seen him
-
-
at present
-
informal a parenthetic filler used to add slight emphasis
I don't know, actually
Usage
Spelling tips for actually The word actually is hard to spell because it uses a double l. How to spell actually: The word actually is often used for emphasis. Keep in mind that to really make your point, you need Lots of Ls (a double l).
Etymology
Origin of actually
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; actual ( def. ), + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
You might think your mom would be thrilled to open a birthday present and find a live rabbit, but actually that's the last thing she's hoping for. Actually is an adverb that means "in reality." Actually can be used two ways: first, as an adverb meaning "really." You might say, "It's hard to know which of these cookies will taste best without actually sampling them all." The other way to use the word actually is to imply that your expectations have been proven wrong, that the opposite of what you thought is true. You could say, "The hotel room looked spotless, but actually it turned out to have bedbugs."
Vocabulary lists containing actually
List 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ly
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Saying Yes" and "A Lion Hunt"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, new research from the University of Vaasa in Finland suggests AI may actually help employees become more engaged and adaptable when they view the technology as a useful partner rather than a threat.
From Science Daily • May 25, 2026
What I said in August: "Integrating so many new signings may actually prove a problem."
From BBC • May 25, 2026
Some criticisms that you don’t agree with actually can make you feel stronger.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
The number of postings in the retail sector, which is typically a hotspot for teen hiring, has actually perked up in recent weeks.
From Barron's • May 25, 2026
I had no way of knowing whether they were actually ill-fitting or whether this was merely how boots fit; I had never worn anything so heavy and drab on my feet before.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.