Actually
['æktjʊəlɪ;-tʃʊ-] or ['æktʃuəli]
Definition
(adv.) 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'.
(adv.) in actual fact; 'to be nominally but not actually independent'; 'no one actually saw the shark'; 'large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt'.
(adv.) 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'.
(adv.) at the present moment; 'the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air'.
Inputed by Elsa--From WordNet
Definition
(adv.) Actively.
(adv.) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
Inputed by Gavin
Synonyms and Synonymous
ad. Really, truly, absolutely, positively, verily, indeed, in fact, in reality, as a matter of fact, in truth.
Checker: Sheena
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Verity, truly, decidedly, assuredly, positively
ANT:Potentially, hypothetically, theoretically
Editor: Simon
Unserious Contents or Definition
adv. Perhaps; possibly.
Inputed by Bobbie
Examples
- Somewhat to her surprise, Sir Philip followed her advice to the letter, and actually, towards the close of September, arrived at the priory. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Only think of _that_, my dear; he actually danced with her twice! Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- In your case, I have every reason to suppose that my notes contain something which he actually wished to say to you. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- It is not actually settled, but there is such a thing in agitation. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- Judge from this, what motives he had to run the risk which he actually ran. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- By this time she is actually with them! Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Yes, says the Sergeant, as if he was actually reading my thoughts in the dark. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Yet as soon as the invention was actually before the world business competitors sprang up on every hand. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- In short, he shows so much musical taste that Mr. Bagnet actually takes his pipe from his lips to express his conviction that he is a singer. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- What have you actually got with your wife at the present moment? Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I believe that the engine driving the four Z generators at the power-house indicated as high as seventy horse-power at the time the locomotive was actually in service. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Moreover, at this instant, I had good reason to believe the provoking little reptile was actually in the arms of some frail, very frail, French woman. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- When a government routine conflicts with the nation's purposes--the statesman actually makes a virtue of his loyalty to the routine. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- And I myself,' he added, 'actually saw this terrible sight. Plato. The Republic.
- Before the winter was far advanced, it is actually on record that Emmy took a night and received company with great propriety and modesty. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The hopelessness and the imprudence of this proceeding failed to strike me before I had actually written the opening lines of the letter. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Meyler's spirits sunk into despondency: he actually shed tears, which, with him, was a very unusual event. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- You would not expect him actually to perform those degrading acts? Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Now, the very grossness of this flattery put Bella upon proving that she actually did please in spite of herself. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Young ladies have a remarkable way of letting you know that they think you a quiz without actually saying the words. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- He found that Wilbur Wright actually preferred to fly without an audience, and thought nothing of disappointing the crowds that gathered to watch him. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- If it actually exists why should I not smell it as well as another? Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- You are actually nettled by this slight from an unexpected quarter. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- He now asked what Mr. Jack Maldon had actually written in reference to himself, and to whom he had written? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Emanuel actually laughed in his face, and with the ruthless triumph of the assured conqueror, he drew his ward nearer to him. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Though he said this gaily, he said it with a perplexed and inquisitive face, as if he actually did not know what to make of himself. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Think what would have happened had we actually remained stolidly faithful to every intention of the Fathers. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- It is not until the speakers and the publicity agents have actually begun to animate it that the country sees what the party is about. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The poor soul grew so timid that she actually left off bullying Briggs any more, and clung to her niece, more fond and terrified every day. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I am well prepared, but there are precautions to be taken, that could not be taken until he was actually summoned before the Tribunal. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Inputed by Bobbie