# actual

/ˈækʃəɫ/ (US) · /ˈæktʃuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/actual
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. real or existing

adjective · CEFR B2

real and existing in fact, not just an idea or a possibility.

For teachers: existing in fact or reality; distinguished from what is merely possible, planned, or intended.

- The actual cost of the car was much higher than the price on the sticker.
- While the initial proposal seemed affordable, the actual expenses incurred during the first quarter exceeded the budget by twenty percent.

Usage: Always placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. emphasis

adjective · CEFR B2

used to emphasize that you are talking about the exact or real thing.

For teachers: used as an intensifier to emphasize the precision or identity of the following noun.

- I was surprised to meet the actual author of the book at the party.
- It wasn't just a similar model; it was the actual car used in the original film production.

Usage: Used for emphasis; non-gradable.

### 3. real figures

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the real amounts or facts, especially in business, compared to what was expected.

For teachers: real-world data or results, typically contrasted with estimates, projections, or budget targets.

- The manager compared the monthly actuals against the yearly budget.
- The quarterly report highlights a significant variance between our forecasted revenue and the actuals reported by the regional branches.

Usage: Usually used in the plural ('actuals') in financial reporting.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.