actual
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.real and existing in fact, not just an idea or a possibility.
adj.existing in fact or reality; distinguished from what is merely possible, planned, or intended.
Simple“The actual cost of the car was much higher than the price on the sticker.”
In context“While the initial proposal seemed affordable, the actual expenses incurred during the first quarter exceeded the budget by twenty percent.”
UsageAlways placed before the noun it modifies.
PitfallI am actual living in London. I am actually living in London.Use the adverb 'actually' to modify a verb. 'Actual' is an adjective and must modify a noun.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.used to emphasize that you are talking about the exact or real thing.
adj.used as an intensifier to emphasize the precision or identity of the following noun.
Simple“I was surprised to meet the actual author of the book at the party.”
In context“It wasn't just a similar model; it was the actual car used in the original film production.”
UsageUsed for emphasis; non-gradable.
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.the real amounts or facts, especially in business, compared to what was expected.
n.real-world data or results, typically contrasted with estimates, projections, or budget targets.
Simple“The manager compared the monthly actuals against the yearly budget.”
In context“The quarterly report highlights a significant variance between our forecasted revenue and the actuals reported by the regional branches.”
UsageUsually used in the plural ('actuals') in financial reporting.
Antonyms
actual vs current — Actual means real or factual, while current means happening right now.
Usage actual amount · actual behaviour · actual content
“The output of the models was, for each dosimeter, within five percent of the actual measured data.”
“I was told my heart age was four years younger than my actual age, and on the whole, I was in tip-top health.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.