You use actually to indicate that a situation exists or happened, or to emphasize that it is true.
[emphasis]
One afternoon, I grew bored and actually fell asleep for a few minutes.
Interest is only payable on the amount actually borrowed.
2. adverb
You use actually when you are correcting or contradicting someone.
[emphasis]
No, I'm not a student. I'm a doctor, actually.
'So it's not a family show then?'—'Well, actually, I think that's exactly what itis.'
3. adverb
You can use actually when you are politely expressing an opinion that other people might not have expected from you.
[politeness]
'Do you think it's a good idea to socialize with one's patients?'—'Actually, I do,I think it's a great idea.'
I would be surprised, actually, if he left Birmingham.
4. adverb
You use actually to introduce a new topic into a conversation.
Well actually, John, I rang you for some advice.
Actually, let's just read this little bit where you've made them bump into each other.
More Synonyms of actually
actually in British English
(ˈæktʃʊəlɪ)
adverb
1.
a.
as an actual fact; really
b.
(as sentence modifier)
actually, I haven't seen him
2.
at present
3. informal
a parenthetic filler used to add slight emphasis
I don't know, actually
actually in American English
(ˈæktʃuəli; ˈækʃuəli; often, ˈæktʃəli; ækʃəli)
adverb
as a matter of actual fact; really
Examples of 'actually' in a sentence
actually
Eighteen of the programmes reached the airwaves before the producers actually listened to one.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We actually think it is one of the safest things you can do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We actually really want to help each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Because some of the nutty ones are actually fine.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is the difference between the amount of tax that should be collected and the amount that actually is.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which is fairly astonishing given that they haven't actually been used.
The Sun (2016)
It was a massive success, and afterwards he told me that it was actually really good fun.
The Sun (2016)
I think actually it is a case study in populism and what is wrong with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That means investing in things that we actually use now, not grandiose schemes whose completion is years away but which eat up capital today.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It doesn't mean playing bad rugby - just being actually smart against them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You know to use actually as little as actually possible.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
You actually just get a run at it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That phrase used to be attached to something one might actually feel guilty about enjoying.
Christianity Today (2000)
Will this one actually amount to something?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
No-one would actually use that many acronyms.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What actually happened was just the opposite.
Gunston, Bill Plane Speaking - a personal view of aviation history (1991)
No one actually knows what he does.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Failing to detain him could actually amount to abuse.
The Sun (2010)
My fear is that these drugs of last resort are actually used quite early on.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It must have been all theoretical because no one had actually fought in these conditions before.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
Could the recipients actually earn that amount in the work place?
The Sun (2013)
It goes without saying that consumers should only pay for energy that they actually use.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Dressing like an awards statue is no guarantee you will actually win one.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Well, it actually happened to me at the weekend.
The Sun (2009)
Sounds grim, actually really quite nice.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
No. Most of them actually really like the wrong book.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Well, actually just a lipstick and my phone.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
People may think that your feet don't really matter but actually they made me feel really depressed.
The Sun (2012)
I actually think the real pleasure is in getting better at it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In all cases, promotion is not just informing but actually seeking to improve and enhance the buying experience.
Geoffrey A. Moore LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE, REVISED EDITION (2002)
Well, actually it is not.
The Sun (2016)
Well, actually, only one of them wants to do that.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
actually
British English: actually /ˈæktʃʊəlɪ/ ADVERB
You use actually to indicate that a situation exists or that it is true.
I grew bored and actually fell asleep for a few minutes.
American English: actually
Arabic: في الواقِع
Brazilian Portuguese: na verdade
Chinese: 实际地
Croatian: zapravo
Czech: vlastně
Danish: faktisk
Dutch: werkelijk
European Spanish: en realidad
Finnish: oikeastaan
French: en fait
German: tatsächlich
Greek: πραγματικά
Italian: realmente
Japanese: 実際に
Korean: 실제로
Norwegian: faktisk
Polish: faktycznie
European Portuguese: na verdade
Romanian: realmente
Russian: фактически
Latin American Spanish: en realidad
Swedish: faktiskt
Thai: อย่างที่เกิดขึ้นตามจริง
Turkish: aslında
Ukrainian: насправді
Vietnamese: thực ra
Chinese translation of 'actually'
actually
(ˈæktjuəlɪ)
adv
(indicating or emphasising truth) 实(實)际(際)地 (shíjì de)
⇒ I was so bored I actually fell asleep.我闷透了，竟然睡着了。 (Wo mèntòu le, jìngrán shùizháo le.)
(= in fact) 事实(實)上 (shìshíshang)
⇒ I'm not a student, I'm a doctor, actually.我不是个学生，事实上，我是位医生。 (Wǒ bùshì gè xuéshēng, shìshíshang, wǒ shì wèi yīshēng.)
actually, we have the same opinion实(實)际(際)上我们(們)有同样(樣)的观(觀)点(點) (shíjìshang wǒmen yǒu tóngyàng de guāndiǎn)
actually 和 really 都用于强调陈述的内容。actually 用于强调某个情形下的确存在的事实，通常该事实出人意料，或者跟刚刚提及的事情形成对比。 All the characters in the novel actually existed ... He actually began to cry. 它还可以用来强调叙述的精确性或者表示对他人的更正。 No one was actually drunk ... We couldn't actually see the garden. 在谈话中使用 really 是为了强调正在谈论的内容。 I really think he's sick.really 用于形容词或者副词前，与 very 含义相似。 This is really serious.
1 (adverb)
Definition
as an actual fact
He had actually felt pain several times, but he had ignored it.
Synonyms
really
They didn't really enjoy themselves.
in fact
indeed
Later he admitted that the payments had indeed been made.
essentially
truly
I truly never minded caring for him.
literally
The word `volk' translates literally as `folk'.
genuinely
in reality
He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not.
in truth
In truth, we were both unhappy.
in actuality
in point of fact
In point of fact, nobody really knows what happened.
veritably
as a matter of fact
As as matter of fact, you may be wrong.
2 (adverb)
It may sound crazy, but it actually works.
Synonyms
surprisingly
believe it or not
though it may seem strange
see actual
Additional synonyms
in the sense of as a matter of fact
Definition
actually
As as matter of fact, you may be wrong.
Synonyms
actually,
in fact,
in reality,
in truth,
as it happens,
believe it or not,
to tell the truth,
in actual fact,
in point of fact
in the sense of in point of fact
In point of fact, nobody really knows what happened.
Synonyms
in fact,
really,
actually,
truly,
in reality,
in truth,
as a matter of fact,
to tell the truth,
in actual fact
in the sense of in reality
Definition
in fact
He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not.