(adv) in actual fact, Syn. really, Example:to be nominally but not actually independent; no one actually saw the shark; large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
(adv) used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly, Syn. in reality, Example: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) as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis, Example: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
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)