actually
pronunciation
How to pronounce actually in British English: UK [ˈæktʃuəli]
How to pronounce actually in American English: US [ˈæktʃuəli]
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- Adverb:
- in actual fact
- used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly
- as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis
- at the present moment
Word Origin
- actually (adv.)
- early 15c., "in fact, in reality" (as opposed to in possibility), from actual + -ly (2). Meaning "actively, vigorously" is from mid-15c.; that of "at this time, at present" is from 1660s. As an intensive added to a statement and suggesting "as a matter of fact, really, in truth" it is attested from 1762.
Example
- 1. What will you actually do ?
- 2. Some people actually cough up the larvae .
- 3. You can actually get more for less .
- 4. This detail actually has no significance .
- 5. None actually slows the underlying neurodegeneration .