actually

actuallyadverb

1. in factin fact; really, and not just in appearance or in what people believe

   Actually points to the truth when it is different from what someone thought, or stresses that something surprising really happened. It usually goes before the main verb or after be: She actually lives here. It is actually quite easy. It never means at present or currently.

   not gradable [not gradable]

   • The bag looks small, but it actually holds a lot.
   • Did he actually say that to your face? (stressing that something surprising really happened)
   • I thought the meeting was at ten, but it's actually at nine.
   • What actually happened that night?

   Collocations

   adverb + verb actually happen, actually mean, actually work, actually exist

   phrase what actually happened, not actually, actually quite

   Synonyms really (really is a close synonym here)

   Compare currently (actually never means currently or at the moment)

2. correcting or addingused when you politely correct someone, refuse something, or say something that the other person may not expect

   Mostly spoken. At the start of a reply, actually softens a correction or a refusal: Actually, I'm not from here. At the end it adds an afterthought or a small surprise: I quite liked it, actually. It also introduces a change of mind: Actually, can I have tea instead?

   sentence adverb [sentence adverb] not gradable [not gradable]

   • Actually, I think the meeting is on Thursday, not Friday. (politely correcting)
   • Actually, I'd rather stay in tonight. (politely refusing, or changing what was planned)
   • I'm not a teacher, actually; I just help out.
   • It was fun, actually. (at the end, adding an afterthought)