Actual


existing in act or fact; real:
an actual case of heroism; actual expenses.
existing now; present; current:
The ship’s actual position is 22 miles due east of Miami.
Obsolete. pertaining to or involving acts or action.
Contemporary Examples

I mean, I do end up writing, but in a twelve hour writing day, I have about four hours of actual writing.
Bob Balaban: How I Write Noah Charney February 4, 2014

As for Obama, he has treated legislative victory as an end in itself while ignoring the reality of actual implementation.
George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Our Era of Bipartisan Ineptitude Lloyd Green July 6, 2013

For Panetta, the act of using force is seemingly more important than the actual tangible result achieved by using force.
Leon Panetta Is What’s Wrong With D.C. Michael Cohen October 7, 2014

A judge dismissed the case a week later, saying, “Federal court only has authority of actual cases and controversies.”
Queen of the Birthers Max Blumenthal July 29, 2009

For these women, the actual birth usually comes as a shock, as they have suppressed the knowledge that they are pregnant.
France’s Twisted Baby Massacre Constantino Diaz-Duran, Eric Pape July 29, 2010

Historical Examples

The law has nothing to do with the actual state of the parties’ minds.
The Common Law Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

He waited an eternity; in actual time it was exactly ten minutes.
Way of the Lawless Max Brand

The actual decrease may be found by means of a spring balance.
Ontario Teachers’ Manuals: Nature Study Ontario Ministry of Education

There has not yet been much opportunity to test the airship in actual warfare.
Flying Machines W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell

I mention these extremes only to show the range of their actual influence.
Major Prophets of To-Day Edwin E. Slosson

adjective
existing in reality or as a matter of fact
real or genuine
existing at the present time; current
(usually preceded by your) (Brit, informal, often facetious) (intensifier): that music’s by your actual Mozart, isn’t it?
adj.

early 14c., “pertaining to an action,” from Old French actuel “now existing, up to date” (13c.), from Late Latin actualis “active, pertaining to action,” adjectival form of Latin actus (see act (n.)). The broader sense of “real, existing” (as opposed to potential, ideal, etc.) is from late 14c.

Read Also:

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    noun (criminal law) injury caused by one person to another that interferes with the health or comfort of the victim ABH

  • Actual cautery

    actual cautery actual cautery ac·tu·al cautery (āk’chōō-əl) n. An agent or process, such as electrocautery or a hot iron, that cauterizes tissue using heat and not a chemical means. Historical Examples The actual cautery is an old method, but we shall not describe it, as we consider that we have better methods now. Special Report […]

  • Actual cost

    the cost of a product based on incurred costs of material and labor required in its production. Historical Examples No allusion has been made in the Introduction to the pay of officers, nor to the actual cost of the keep of troopers. Trooper 3809 Lionel Decle Fourthly, its actual cost could be more accurately foretold. […]

  • Actual sin

    any sin committed by an individual of his or her free will, as contrasted with original sin. Historical Examples Understand this, and you will understand what original and actual sin is, and what grace and duty are. A Christian Directory (Part 4 of 4) Richard Baxter It says that of original sin: but it is […]

  • Actualise

    to make or real; turn into action or fact. Historical Examples He did actualise knowing where some things could be hanging. Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein Gertrude Stein There is something unwholesome in acknowledging any ideal which we do not strive so far as we can to actualise. The War and Unity Various His potentialities […]


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