actual
adjective
ac·tu·al
ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl 
-sh(ə-w)əl;
-chü-əl,
-shü-
1
a
: existing in fact or reality
actual events
actual and imagined conditions
b
: not false or apparent
actual costs
c
—used for emphasis
This is the actual room in which my grandfather was born.
2
: existing or occurring at the time
caught in the actual commission of a crime
3
obsolete
: active
Synonyms
Examples of actual in a Sentence
They signed the agreement in the spring, but the actual sale wasn't made until that summer.
You deposit money in a bank account but the actual money is not held there.
The actual cost of the repair was much higher than the estimate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Next, threat actors steal these credentials and use them to log in to the actual employee portal.
—
Perry Carpenter, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Many felt these men should be able to become actual firefighters upon their release.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The service was just talking about how the growth of bamboo is and the infinity sign and the actual meaning behind it.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2025
Beyond functionality, however, the actual benefits of skin care in makeup are less effective.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for actual 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Perry Carpenter, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Many felt these men should be able to become actual firefighters upon their release.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025
The service was just talking about how the growth of bamboo is and the infinity sign and the actual meaning behind it.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2025
Beyond functionality, however, the actual benefits of skin care in makeup are less effective.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for actual
Dictionary Entries Near actual
Cite this Entry
“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actual. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
actual
adjective
ac·tu·al
ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl
ˈak-sh(ə-w)əl
: existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
actuality
noun
ˌak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē
-shə-
actualization
noun
ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
-sh(ə-w)ə-
actualize
verb
-ˌīz
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share