actual
adj.adj. real or existing in fact, rather than what you might expect or imagine. You use it to emphasize that something is true or exact.
adj. existing in fact or reality; distinguished from what is merely possible, apparent, or imagined. Often used as an intensifier to emphasize the truth of a statement.
The actual cost was much higher than the estimate.
I knew the movie was long, but the actual running time was over three hours.
While the theoretical model predicted a slight increase in pressure, the actual results from the laboratory experiment showed a significant decrease under identical conditions.
From Middle English actual, actuel (“active”), from Anglo-Norman actuel, actual, and its source Late Latin actuālis (“active, practical”), from Latin actus (“act, action, performance”), from agere (“to do; to act”) + -alis (“-al”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂éǵeti, from the root h₂eǵ-. By surface analysis, act + -u- + -al.
Attributive adjective — almost always placed before the noun it modifies. It does not mean 'current' or 'at the present time'.
the actual situation in my countrythe current situation in my countryLearners often use 'actual' to mean 'current' or 'present' due to false friends in other languages (like 'actual' in Spanish or 'actuel' in French).