ac·tu·al·ly
Pronounced:
/ˈæktʃəwəli/
Function:
adverbMeaning:
1 —used to refer to what is true or real ▪ I don't know what actually [=really] happened. ▪ After all these months, it's hard to believe that we're actually [=really, truly] finished.
2 —used to stress that a statement is true especially when it differs in some way from what might have been thought or expected ▪ We'd actually planned to leave early, but we were delayed. ▪ I wasn't worried about being late. Actually, I didn't want to go at all. ▪ I didn't think I'd like the movie, but it was actually pretty good. ▪ I was shocked to learn he could actually fly a plane. ▪ I could hardly believe it when she actually apologized to me. ▪ “I like your new glasses.” “Thanks, but actually I've had them for almost a year.”
2 —used to stress that a statement is true especially when it differs in some way from what might have been thought or expected ▪ We'd actually planned to leave early, but we were delayed. ▪ I wasn't worried about being late. Actually, I didn't want to go at all. ▪ I didn't think I'd like the movie, but it was actually pretty good. ▪ I was shocked to learn he could actually fly a plane. ▪ I could hardly believe it when she actually apologized to me. ▪ “I like your new glasses.” “Thanks, but actually I've had them for almost a year.”