Actually

Definition: Actually

Actually

Adverb

1. In actual fact; "to be nominally but not actually independent"; "no one actually saw the shark"; "large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt".

2. Used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly; "you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out"; "she actually spoke Latin"; "they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets"; "people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous".

3. As a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis; "actually, we all help clear up after a meal"; "actually, I haven't seen the film"; "I'm not all that surprised actually"; "she hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually".

4. At the present moment; "the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
 

Date "actually" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1321. (references)

Note: Actually \Ac"tu*al*ly\, adverb 1. Actively. [Obsolete]. (references)

Satire

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Synonyms: Actually

Existence

Adverb: actually; Adjective: in fact, in point of fact, in reality; indeed; de facto, ipso facto.

Truth

Adverb: truly; Adjective: verily, indeed, really, in reality; with truth; (veracity); certainly; (certain); actually; (existence); in effect; (intrinsically).

Crosswords: Actually

See, and I think the important thing is actually not to be panicking (The American President; writing credit: Aaron Sorkin.)

Despite my privileged upbringing, I'm actually quite well-balanced (A Beautiful Mind; writing credit: Akiva Goldsman)

No, actually it was great (American Beauty; writing credit: Alan Ball)

I realized that you're not actually mammals (The Matrix; writing credit: Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski.)

No. We're discussing an object from which I receive in the classic formula a glancing blow which will raise a lump without actually cracking the cranium (Sleuth; writing credit: Anthony Shaffer)

He actually thinks (I will buy you a new life; performing artist: Everclear)

But really I'm not actually your friend (Birdhouse in Your Soul; performing artist: They Might Be Giants)

Now that actually is not the answer that I had in mind, because the book that I (New Math; performing artist: Tom Lehrer)

Well, six actually. (New Math; performing artist: Tom Lehrer)

South Carolina: Remember The Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender (references; author: unknown)

A good marriage is like a casserole, only those involved actually know what goes into it. (references; author: unknown)

You are an engineer if you are aware that computers are actually only good for playing games, but are afraid to say it out loud. (references; author: unknown)

A Class Picture of the CCAC Film Class of '65 Actually Taught by Bruce Conner in the Tradition of Lumière (1965)

Love Actually (2003)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Books

• Corporate Creativity: How Innovation and Improvement Actually Happen (reference)

• Goal Analysis: How to Clarify Your Goals So You Can Actually Achieve Them (reference)

• How to Win at Golf: Without Actually Playing Well (reference)

• Million Dollar E-mails: The guide to creating effective, persuasive Internet email marketing campaigns that actually increase sales and work! (reference)

• The Everything Wedding Book: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know to Survive Your Wedding Day and Actually Even Enjoy It! (Everything Series) (reference)

  (more book examples)

Music

• Actually (reference)

• Actually Not (reference)

• Very Introspective, Actually - A Pet Shop Boys Tribute (reference)

  (more classical music examples; more popular music examples)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Six-step sequence of the death of a cancer cell. A cancer cell has migrated through the holes of a matrix coated membrane from the top to the bottom, simulating natural migration of a invading cancer cell between, and sometimes through, the vascular endothelium. Notice the spikes or pseudopodia that are characteristic of an invading cancer cell (1). A buffy coat containing red blood cells, lymphocytes and macrophages is added to the bottom of the membrane. A group of macrophages identify the cancer cell as foreign matter and start to stick to the cancer cell, which still has its spikes (2). Macrophages begin to fuse with, and inject its toxins into, the cancer cell. The cell starts rounding up and loses its spikes (3). As the macrophage cell becomes smooth (4). The cancer cell appears lumpy in the last stage before it dies. These lumps are actually the macrophages fused within the cancer cell (5). The cancer cell then loses its morphology, shrinks up and dies (6). Photo magnification: 1: x12,000; 2: x4,000; 3: x8,000; 4: x26,000; 5: x56,000; 6: x14,000. Credit: Susan Arnold (photographer).

White woman patient is being operated on. Her nipple is being incised by the surgeon. The surgeon and an operating room attendant are visible (there may actually be two surgeons). A surgical biopsy is being performed to determine exact nature of solid tumor. Credit: Linda Bartlett (photographer).

The head is attached to the thorax by a very narrow neck. The thorax appears unsegmented, but like the head, it is actually composed of several fused segments. Credit: CDC.

The wasp’s compound eye is actually made up of many identical receptor units called ommatidia. Each receptor contains its own lens and light sensitive cells, and is actually an eye unto itself. Credit: CDC.

Medium-size black holes actually do exist, according to the latest findings from NASA's Hubble ... Credit: NASA.

This ghostly apparition is actually an interstellar cloud caught in the process of ... Credit: NASA.

Full view of the Earth, taken byGOES-8(Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) on 2 September 1994at 18:00 UT. The red and green channels represent visible data, while theblue channel represents inverted 11 micron infrared data.The north and south poles were were not actually observed by GOES-8. Toproduce this image, poles were taken from a GOES-7 image. Credit: NASA.

Optical effect as sun actually below horizon during March sunset. Credit: Paths Less Taken - NOAA at the Ends of the Earth.

Physonect siphonophore is actually a chain of colonial hydroids. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

Feather duster worms, a type of annelid worm, and more specifically, tube- dwelling polychaete worms. The "arms" are actually tentacles or "radioles" at the anterior end of the worm. Most of the worms' bodies are hidden within the tubes they have constructed. Credit: National Undersea Research Program (NURP).

Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Nothing can make any man so, but his actually entering into it by positive engagement, and express promise and compact. (Second Treatise of Government)

Clause 3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay. (reference)

The French Government is substituted in all the rights of the German Empire over all the railways which were administered by the Imperial railway administration and which are actually working or under construction. (reference)

When I stand here this quiet afternoon I shudder to visualize what is actually happening to millions now and what is going to happen in this period when famine stalks the earth. ("Iron Curtain" Speech)

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Actually to discover that Mr. Knightley is a gentleman

Under the airy touch of the child, the instrument actually seemed to warble, like a bird

One of the major difficulties Trillian experienced in her relationship with Zaphod was learning to distinguish between him pretending to be stupid just to get people off their guard, pretending to be stupid because he couldn't be bothered to think and wanted someone else to do it for him, pretending to be outrageously stupid to hide the fact that he actually didn't understand what was going on, and really being genuinely stupid

Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognise his enemy when the latter actually appeared

Paris combines in one wonderful type which has had real existence, and actually elbowed us, the Greek nudity, the Hebrew ulcer, the Gascon jest

Actually, I'd give up writing if I could see a naked girl while I was eating ice cream

The nickel, unlike most money, has actually done a job of work, has been physically responsible for a reaction

The man who has actually paid for his farm with labor on it is so rare that every neighbor can point to him.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Health

Using unconventional treatments actually may be harmful. (references)

Some male and female hormones are actually secreted by both sexes. (references)

Not long ago, little could be done to actually cure an immunodeficiency. (references)

Business

There are actually two types of standards, general and special. (references)

End-users need to see that the technology actually works before making a purchase. (references)

Actually a lot of fake perfumes imitating selective brands are sold through such outlets. (references)

Children

China

It also reportedly has led to school officials inflating the number of children actually enrolled. (references)

Suriname

Children in the interior do not receive the same level of education as those in the city, and as few as 40 percent actually attend school. (references)

Guatemala

However, less than half the population actually receives a primary education, and only 3 of 10 students who begin primary school complete it. One-fourth of all children do not attend school. (references)

Civil Liberties

Ethiopia

Others actually are opposition newsletters that often purvey unsubstantiated criticism of the Government. (references)

Kenya

Kamanda actually had said that Kamanda himself should be shot if he (Kamanda) were to agree to another term for Moi. (references)

Bulgaria

A majority of journalists believe that the Act actually hampers rather than facilitates public access to information. (references)

Discrimination

Bhutan

Bhutanese human rights groups active outside the country claim that ethnic Nepalese actually make up approximately 35 percent of the country's population and that the Government underreports their number. (references)

Economic History

Hong Kong

Domestic exports actually declined by 15.3 percent. (references)

India

The middle class actually comprises 3 different segments. (references)

Human Rights

Iran

However, HRW also reported that the trial did not clarify who actually ordered the murders. (references)

Colombia

Other groups were actually the paid, private armies of drug traffickers or large landowners. (references)

Iran

Exiles and human rights monitors allege that many of those executed for criminal offenses, such as narcotics trafficking, actually are political dissidents. (references)

Indigenous People

Malaysia

The NGO pointed out that the total area of land actually reserved for Orang Asli had declined, not increased, since 1990. Surveying and transfer of title apparently has proceeded very slowly; however, during the year, a number of Orang Asli received land titles, and several state governments announced that land was being set aside for Orang Asli. (references)

Minorities

China

In Atush, Akqi, and Akto counties, 24 persons were sentenced publicly, including 2 sentenced to death, for "sabotaging public order and the social stability." Three Uighurs were sentenced in April for being members of the "1999 9th August disturbances" which actually was a demonstration in front of the local Communist party building to protest the arrest of an imam. (references)

Political Economy

ITALY

The average contractual workweek is 39 hours but is actually less for many industries. (references)

Political Rights

Pakistan

However, on election day far fewer registered women than registered men actually voted. (references)

Chile

Although women are a majority of registered voters and of those who actually cast ballots, the percentage of women in government and politics does not correspond to their percentage of the population. (references)

Hong Kong

In addition while the approval of the Chief Executive, two-thirds of the legislature, and two-thirds of Hong Kong's National People's Congress delegates is required to place an amendment to the Basic Law originating in Hong Kong on the agenda of China's National People's Congress, it is the National People's Congress that has the power actually to amend the Basic Law. (references)

Trade

Ukraine

Of the total 195 banks registered, 153 banks are actually operating. (references)

Mexico

Most loans are actually made by American banks with EXIM's guarantee. (references)

Haiti

Actually the BRH has applied a 31 percent reserve requirement on foreign currency deposits. (references)

Travel

Nepal

Although in 1998 the GON also began issuing five-year, multiple entry visas to resident foreign investors and their families, very few have actually been issued. (references)

Trinidad

Business visitors should be sure to check the "business" box, rather than the "work" box on the immigration entry form, unless they are actually being paid in Trinidad and Tobago. (references)

Sweden

The Christmas celebration actually begins when the country shuts down for the Nobel prize ceremonies December 10, and the St Lucia festival December 13. Business is usually back to normal after Orthodox Christmas in January. (references)

Women

Kazakhstan

An Almaty crisis center reported that out of 477 women who came to the center during 2000, only 7 actually followed through with charges. (references)

Nicaragua

Those cases that actually reached the courts usually resulted in not guilty verdicts due to judicial inexperience with, and lack of legal training related to, proper judicial handling of such violence. (references)

Morocco

In her article, published after the Green March holiday, she noted that she was 1 of 35,000 females who actually took place in the Green March in 1975, when 10 percent of the 350,000 positions were reserved for women under a quota system in place for the event. (references)

Worker Rights

Brazil

As a result, few employers actually are fined for employing children. (references)

Honduras

Once a union is recognized, employers actually dismiss relatively few workers for union activity. (references)

Mexico

However, employers actually paid $5.11 (45.95 pesos) because of a supplemental 14 percent subsidy. (references)

Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Source: compiled by the editor from various references.

Expression using "actually": when actually employed. Additional references.

Ending with "actually": a-actually, hove-actually.

Afrikaans

sowaar (absolutely, genuinely, genuinly, in fact, indeed, really, truly). (various references)

Albanian

në të vërtetë (as a matter of fact, authentically, de facto, in effect, in fact, in point of fact, in sooth, indeed, virtually). (various references)

Arabic 

‏في الواقع (as a matter of fact, as good as, by sheer force, de facto, factually, fundamentally, in effect, in fact, indeed, rather, reality, really, truly, truth), ‏في الحقيقة (as a matter of fact, factually, honestly, in effect, in point of fact), ‏فعلا (indeed, quite, truly), ‏حقا (amen, indeed, justly, properly, really, rightly, truly), ‏حاليا (at present, currently, presently). (various references)

Bulgarian 

сега (at present, now, nowadays, presently, these days, today, yet), фактически (actual, as a matter of fact, de facto, factual, factually, in fact, morally, practical, practically, really, substantial, virtual, virtually), всъщност (in reality, indeed, practically, properly speaking, really, substantially, virtually), в действителност (in reality, morally), наистина (all right, for real, forsooth, in all verity, in sooth, indeed, real, really, sure, sure enough, surely, true, truly, verily, yea), понастоящем (at present, currently, for the time being, nowadays, presently), по-право казано, действително (indeed, really, sure enough). (various references)

Chinese 

究竟 (after all, outcome, result), 竟 (indeed, to go so far as to, unexpectedly), 所 (place), 其實 (in fact, really, that is not the case), 实际上 (Virtually). (various references)

Czech

vlastnì (as a matter of fact, de facto, in fact, in point of fact, in substance, indeed, really, virtually), ve skuteènosti (as a matter of fact, effectively, in actual fact, in effect, practically), skuteènì (genuinely, really, truly), opravdu (genuinely, in fact, indeed, really, sincerely, so, sure enough, truly), dokonce (even). (various references)

Danish

faktisk (as a matter of fact, genuinely, in fact, indeed, really, truly). (various references)

Dutch

waarachtig (absolutely, genuinely, in fact, indeed, really, true, truly), metterdaad (absolutely, as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed), inderdaad (absolutely, as a matter of fact, genuinely, genuinly, in fact, indeed, really, truly). (various references)

Esperanto

efektive (absolutely, in fact). (various references)

Faeroese

veruliga (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed), tá ið samanum kemur (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed), í grundini (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed). (various references)

Finnish

varsinaisesti (really), tosiasiallisesti (in effect, in fact), todenteolla (in earnest, really, truly), todellisuudessa (in fact, in reality). (various references)

French

actuellement. (various references)

Frisian

winliken (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed), feitlik (actual, as a matter of fact, factual, in fact, indeed, real). (various references)

German

eigentlich (actual, anyway, considering, essentially, for that matter, in actual fact, in reality, intrinsic, literal, original, originally, rather, real, really, technically, true, ultimate, underlying, virtual), tatsächlich (absolutely, actual, as a matter of fact, defacto, effective, genuinely, in fact, indeed, objectively, practical, real, really, true, truly, virtual). (various references)

Greek 

πράγματι (defacto, indeed, quite, really, sure enough), πραγματικά (really, veritably). (various references)

Hawaiian

në të vërtetë (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed). (various references)

Hebrew 

למעשה (de facto, in effect, in fact, in point of fact, in practice, practically, virtually), בעצם (as a matter of fact, in effect, in fact). (various references)

Hungarian

valójában (in effect, in fact, in point of fact), tulajdonképpen (in a proper sense, in effect, practically speaking, strictly speaking, virtually), jelenleg (at par, at present, at the moment, at the present time, currently, for the time being, now, on the present occasion, on this particular occasion, presently). (various references)

Indonesian

sedianya (as a matter of fact, properly speaking), sebenarnya (actual, in fact, proper, truly), betulan (precisely), benar-benar (real, seriously, veritable). (various references)

Italian

veramente (actual, downright, effective, forsooth, in fact, indeed, rather, real, really, truly), realmente (indeed, really), di fatto (as a matter of fact, de facto, in fact, indeed). (various references)

Japanese Kanji 

真に (really, truly), 現に (really). (various references)

Japanese Katakana 

しんに (really, truly), まことに (absolutely, indeed, really, truly), げんに (fortify, really, rigidly, secure, severely, strengthen, strictly). (various references)

Korean 

실제적으로 (Practically). (various references)

Manx

jeer (indeed, truly, verily), dy jarroo (decidedly, explicitly, indeed, rather). (various references)

Papiamen

efektivamente (absolutely, in fact). (various references)

Pig Latin

actuallyay.(various references)

Polish

rzeczywiście (absolutely, genuinely, in fact, indeed, really, truly), faktycznie (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed). (various references)

Portuguese

atualmente (currently, now, nowadays, presently, today), verdadeiramente (absolutely, forsooth, genuinly, indeed, naturally, real, really, surely, truly, verily), realmente (absolutely, indeed, quite, real, really, sincerely, virtually), presentemente (currently, now, nowadays), na realidade (as a matter of fact, in effect, in reality, really, substantially, verily), efetivamente, efectivamente (indeed), defacto (certainly, indeed, rather, surely), comefeito (certainly, indeed, rather, surely). (various references)

Romanian

aievea (actual, real, really, true), actualmente (at present, now), zãu (by heaven, by jove, by my faith, forsooth, honest, honour bright, indeed, on my soul, really, upon my word), realmente (really, truly, virtually), printre altele, practic (applied, business-like, canny, commodious, experienced, hard-headed, matter of fact, practical, practically, pragmatic, purposeful, serviceable, sound, useful, virtually, worldly), efectiv (actual, effective, real, really, strength, substantial, virtually), de fapt (as a matter of fact, as it is, for that matter, in effect, in point of fact, in reality, morally, practically, to all intents and purposes, virtual), în realitate (as it is, in real life, in very deed, really). (various references)

Russian 

действительно (for fair, in point of fact, indeed, really). (various references)

Scottish

rìreadh (indeed, truly). (various references)

Serbo-Croatian

zapravo (as a matter of fact, de facto, fact: in fact, really). (various references)

Spanish

en efecto (absolutely, genuinely, genuinly, in effect, in fact, indeed, really, truly). (various references)

Swedish

faktiskt (factually, honestly, in fact, in point of fact, indeed, really, virtually). (various references)

Turkish

aslında (at bottom, at heart, au fond, basically, essentially, in fact, in first place, in itself, in reality, in sober fact, in very deed, indeed, originally, primarily, really, substantially, verily, virtually), sahiden (for real, honest, honestly, joking apart, real, really), sahi (really, true), gerçekten (by my troth, for real, forsooth, genuinely, honest, honest injun, honestly, in fact, in point of fact, in sooth, in troth, in very deed, indeed, it's no joke, of a verity, quite, real, really, regularly, sure enough, true, truly, yea, yes indeed), gerçekte (in effect, in fact, in point of fact, in practice, in reality, in sober fact, in sooth, in sooth to say, in very deed, practically, substantially, verily, virtually), fiilen (de facto, virtually), doğrusu (as a matter of fact, frankly, frankly speaking, honest, honestly, in all conscience, in fact, in sooth to say, indeed, of a verity, strictly, strictly speaking, the straight of it, to tell the truth, verily). (various references)

Ukrainian

у даний час (at present), фактично (as good as, in effect, in fact, in practice, in reality, practically, virtually), насправді (in practice, in reality, in very deed, intrinsically), нині (now, nowadays), зараз (all at once, anan, anon, by now, in a moment, now, presently), дійсно (in fact, quite). (various references)

Vietnamese 

thực sự (arrant, proper, veritable, virtual, virtually), quả thật, quả là hiện tại, hiện thời (existent, present), hiện nay ngay cả đến và hơn thế, đúng (apt, aptly, aright, correct, due, exact, fair, fitting, just, precise, precisely, proper, properly, right, rightly, true, very). (various references)

Zulu

eqinisweni (as a matter of fact, in fact, indeed). (various references)

etiam, quoque, unoquoque, vel, vere, verene. (various references)

Derivations

Words ending with "actually": contractually, factually, tactually. (additional references)

Misspellings

"Actually" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: accually, actally, actaully, actorly, actualis, actuall, actuallly, actualls, actuals, actualy, Actuelle, Actuels, actully, Actu'lly, acually, acutally, acyually, Astohall, Catullo. (additional references)

Source: compiled by the editor (additional references); see credits.

Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams

-2 letters: actual, cullay.

-3 letters: allay, alula, calla, cully, tally.

-4 letters: acta, acyl, ally, call, caul, clay, cull, cult, lacy, tala, talc, tall, yuca.

-5 letters: aal, act, ala, all, alt, cat, cay, cut, lac, lat, lay, tau, uta.

+1 letter: factually, tactually.

+2 letters: nautically.

+3 letters: accentually, actuarially, aquatically, caustically.

+4 letters: acoustically, articulately, autistically, calamitously, calculatedly, connaturally, immaculately, particularly.

+5 letters: authentically, automatically, autonomically, calculatingly, coagulability, contractually, dualistically, educationally, facultatively, faunistically, hallucinatory, intraocularly, judgmatically, mutagenically, pneumatically, puritanically, quadratically, rectangularly, rheumatically, spectacularly, traumatically, ultraphysical.