actually
English
Etymology
From Middle English actualy, actuelly, equivalent to actual + -ly.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈak.(t)ʃ(ʊ).ə.li/, /ˈak.(t)ʃə.li/, /-ɪ/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈak.(t)ʃʊ.ə.lɪ/, /ˈak.tjʊ.ə.lɪ/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈæk.(t)ʃu.ə.li/, /ˈæk.(t)ʃə.li/
Audio (US): (file)
Adverb
actually (not comparable)
- (modal) In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.
- Actually, I had nothing to do with that incident.
- (obsolete) Actively.
- Neither actually […] nor passively. — Fuller.
Usage notes
- In other European languages, cognates of actually mean "now" or "currently"; (e.g., Portuguese "atualmente", Spanish "actualmente", French "actuellement", German "aktuell", Italian "attualmente", Czech "aktuálně"), making it a false friend. This leads many non-native speakers of English to use "actually" when they mean "now" or "currently".
- Some commentators have:
- In practice, actually and its synonyms are often used to insinuate that the following is either unusual or contrary to a norm or preceding assumption, or to merely preface an overconfident opinion contrasting a previous statement or norm (as per 'vacuous emphasis' note above).
- This is actually a really beautiful song. (contrasting opinion)
- Actually, I'm not from France – I'm from Switzerland. (contrary from assumption)
- At the check-out, the cashier actually greeted me for once. (contrary from norm)
Alternative forms
- actially (nonstandard)
Synonyms
- (in act or in fact): as a matter of fact, in reality, literally, really, truthfully; see also Thesaurus:actually
Translations
In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively
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References
- ^ Christopher Howse, Richard Preston (2007) She Literally Exploded: The Daily Telegraph Infuriating Phrasebook, London: Constable and Robinson, →ISBN, page 3.
- ^ ibidem, page 4
Scots
Adverb
actually
References
- Eagle, Andy, ed. (2016) The Online Scots Dictionary, Scots Online.
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms suffixed with -ly
- English 4-syllable words
- English 3-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English adverbs
- English uncomparable adverbs
- English terms with obsolete senses
- English modal adverbs
- Scots lemmas
- Scots adverbs