actual
gb/ˈækt͡ʃuəl/ us/ˈækt͡ʃuəl/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
real, not imagined
Real and true, not just in your mind or on paper.
Usage pattern:
the actual [thing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'actual' with 'current'. In English, 'actual' means 'real', not 'present time'. For example, 'my actual job' means 'my real job', not 'my job right now'.
Synonyms
real (Most common synonym; slightly less formal and more general.)
|
genuine (Emphasizes authenticity or truthfulness, often of objects or claims.)
Antonyms
imaginary (Exists only in the mind; not real.)
|
theoretical (Based on ideas or theory; not yet proven real or practical.)
Collocations
actual fact
|actual cost
|actual event
|actual reason
|actual size
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The actual cost was higher than we expected.
- She finally met the actual author of the book.
- This photo shows the actual size of the product.
- We were surprised by the actual number of people who came.
- The actual problem is lack of communication.
Learner examples
- This is the actual price of the car.
- I saw the actual painting in the museum.
- The actual story is very different.
- He told me the actual reason for his trip.
adjective
B2
property
2
emphasizing exact thing
Used to talk about the exact or main thing, not something related or similar.
Usage pattern:
the actual [noun]
Synonyms
precise (Focuses on exactness; often used for details.)
|
specific (Highlights particular one among others.)
Antonyms
approximate (Not exact or precise.)
Collocations
the actual moment
|the actual point
|the actual reason
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The movie was good, but the actual ending was disappointing.
- We were late for the wedding but arrived just before the actual ceremony began.
- He looks younger than his actual age.
- The actual point I wanted to make is different.
Learner examples
- The actual game starts at 8 pm.
- This is the actual key for the door.
- The actual meeting will be tomorrow.
- I forgot the actual name of the store.
Grammar
Dictionary form
actual
IPA
GB/ˈækt͡ʃuəl/
US/ˈækt͡ʃuəl/
Syllables & stress
ac - tu - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ac)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: actual
Word family
Core family
actually
adverb A2
Related words
actuality
noun
Advanced or less common
actualize
verb
actualization
noun
Expressions
actual size
1/ˈækt͡ʃuəl sˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
real size of something
The real size of something, not a smaller or larger version.
Examples
- This map shows the island at actual size.
- The drawing is at actual size so you can see details clearly.
in actual fact
1/ˈɪn ˈækt͡ʃuəl fˈækt/
fixed phrase
really, in truth
Used to say that something is true, especially when it is surprising or different from what people think.
Examples
- In actual fact, he has never been to France.
- They seem happy, but in actual fact they argue a lot.
the actual facts
1/ðə ˈækt͡ʃuəl fˈækts/
fixed phrase
the real facts
The real and true information about something, not guesses or stories.
Examples
- Before deciding, let's look at the actual facts.
- The article does not present the actual facts of the case.