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
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
While guests have gotten used to early and extended evening park access, those benefits are actually decided on annually and have been extended for next year.
—
Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
My private position is that a sprinkling of gratitude and forgiveness in the cosmos of entrepreneurship and deal-making actually improves your negotiating skills and the outcomes.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Inspired by outer space, this bath is perhaps the only one influenced by a place the clients have never actually visited, including a vintage stone sink that reminded Hoffman of moon rock.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025
Or will Walker actually be gone before the draft gets to No. 8, because Jacksonville at No. 5 is also rumored to really like him?
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
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Eve Chen, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
My private position is that a sprinkling of gratitude and forgiveness in the cosmos of entrepreneurship and deal-making actually improves your negotiating skills and the outcomes.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
Inspired by outer space, this bath is perhaps the only one influenced by a place the clients have never actually visited, including a vintage stone sink that reminded Hoffman of moon rock.
—David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025
Or will Walker actually be gone before the draft gets to No. 8, because Jacksonville at No. 5 is also rumored to really like him?
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for actually
Cite this Entry
“Actually.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actually. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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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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