actual definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

ac·tu·al [ ákchoo əl ]

adjective

Definition:

1. real: real and existing as fact

Is that her actual title?

2. used for emphasis: used for emphasis, e.g. to stress that somebody or something being referred to is genuinely the person or thing involved

This is the actual place where Lincoln stood.

3. existing now: existing or occurring at the moment

actual as opposed to projected income

[14th century. Via Old French< late Latin actualis< Latin actus (see act)]

Word Usage


	Actual is often overused as a mere emphatic term without any real meaning, as in: He wanted to know if any (actual) damage had been done. In this sentence actual could be removed without any significant change to the sense. In the sentence The actual total was much higher than we had expected, actual is legitimately used to mark a contrast with projected or estimated totals.