actuallyadverb
uk/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/us/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/actually adverb (IN FACT)
A2 in fact or really:
I didn't actually see her - I just heard her voice.
So what actually happened?
More examples
- There seems to be some confusion over who is actually giving the talk.
- I didn't actually want any more dessert, but Julia forced it on me .
- I looked through the window, but I didn't actually go in.
- They suspected that she'd killed him but they could never actually prove that it was her.
- It's unclear what actually happened that night.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
True, real, false, and unreal
- actual
- actuality
- all that glitters is not gold idiom
- apocryphal
- at heart idiom
- faithful
- false
- falsely
- fictional
- fictitious
- glitter
- gritty
- nominal
- pretend
- proper
- properly
- properly speaking idiom
- pukka
- realistic
- well founded
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actually adverb (SURPRISE)
B1 used in sentences in which there is information that is in some way surprising or the opposite of what most people would expect:
I didn't like him at first, but in the end I actually got quite fond of him.
I'm one of the few people who doesn't actually like champagne.
humorous Don't tell me he actually paid for you!
More examples
- It really gets me the way we're expected to actually laugh at his pathetic jokes!
- You actually like modern jazz, do you? Each to their own.
- I didn't actually want any more dessert, but Julia forced it on me.
- Peter might look a bit fierce, but actually he's fairly harmless.
- She appears to actually like the man, which I find incredible.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Expressions of surprise
- accha
- achha
- believe
- biscuit
- bless
- heaven
- I'll be a monkey's uncle! idiom
- I'll be blowed! idiom
- I'll be jiggered idiom
- it's a wonder idiom
- jeepers
- shit
- shock
- strangely
- strangely enough idiom
- strewth
- surely
- surprise
- surprise, surprise idiom
- ye
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actually adverb (SAYING NO)
B2 used as a way of making a sentence slightly more polite, for example when you are expressing an opposing opinion, correcting what someone else has said, or refusing an offer:
"Alexander looks like he'd be good at sports." "Actually, he's not."
Actually, Gavin, it was Tuesday of last week, not Wednesday.
"Do you mind if I smoke?" "Well, actually, I'd rather you didn't."
More examples
- I wouldn't mind something to eat, actually.
- I'd like a cup of coffee, please - actually, on second thoughts, I'll have a beer.
- "Did your American friends enjoy their stay?" "Yes. Actually, they're Canadian."
- "Mark's coming today to look at the books." "Actually, it's tomorrow."
- "You must be exhausted after that long journey." "Actually, I feel fine."
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Polite expressions
- after
- by all means idiom
- chance
- could
- disrespect
- don't mention it! idiom
- don't mind me idiom
- excuse
- forgive
- good
- honour
- no problem idiom
- obliged
- pardon
- perhaps
- place
- pleasure
- possibly
- suppose
- welcome
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