actual

adjective

ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl How to pronounce actual (audio)
-sh(ə-w)əl;
-chü-əl
-shü-
Synonyms of actual
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

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
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.
Know More Concerns over DR Congo’s ability to turn committed financing into actual investment come on top of growing criticism over other delays in disbursing proceeds. Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The second, Kiyosaki’s actual father, served as an example of what to avoid. Christopher Cox, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Bessent gave a telling and surprisingly candid response when CNN’s Kevin Liptak noted D-Day in 1944 was an actual invasion, not a threat to invade, and asked why Treasury did not take immediate action. Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Payment collection turns into its own back-and-forth, pulling focus away from actual coaching. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actual

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "active, existing in fact," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French actuel, borrowed from Late Latin āctuālis, from Latin āctus act entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of actual was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actual. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

actual

adjective
ac·​tu·​al ˈak-ch(ə-w)əl How to pronounce actual (audio)
ˈak-sh(ə-w)əl
: existing in fact and not merely as a possibility
actuality
ˌak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē
-shə-
noun
actualization
ˈak-ch(ə-w)ə-lə-ˈzā-shən
-sh(ə-w)ə-
noun
actualize
-ˌīz
verb

Legal Definition

actual

adjective
ac·​tu·​al
: existing in fact or reality compare constructive
actually adverb
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