Actual

//ˈækʃuəl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    relating to a person's acts or deeds; active, practical not-comparable

    "In this slumbry agitation, besides her walking, and other actuall performances, what (at any time) haue you heard her say?"

  2. 2
    Existing in reality, not just potentially; really acted or acting; occurring in fact. not-comparable

    "the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion"

  3. 3
    in action at the time being; now existing; current. not-comparable

    "If this be your actual situation, compared to the situation to which you were called, as it were by the voice of God and man, I cannot find it in my heart to congratulate you on the choice you have made, or the success which has attended your endeavours."

  4. 4
    Used as intensifier to emphasise a following noun; exact, specific, very. not-comparable

    "[H]ow the neurons are organised in these lobes and ganglia remains obscure. Yet this is the level of organisation that does the actual thinking—and is, presumably, the seat of consciousness."

Adjective
  1. 1
    presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible wordnet
  2. 2
    being or existing at the present moment wordnet
  3. 3
    taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated wordnet
  4. 4
    existing in act or fact wordnet
  5. 5
    being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    an actual, real one; notably:; something actually received; real receipts, as distinct from estimated ones. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    an actual, real one; notably:; a radio callsign modifier that specifies the commanding officer of the unit or asset denoted by the remainder of the callsign and not the officer's assistant or other designee. countable, uncountable

    "Bravo Six Actual, this is Charlie One. Come in, over."

  3. 3
    Reality, usually with the definite article. uncountable

    "There was that desolate air about the chamber which is peculiar to an ill-furnished London room: cities need luxuries, were it only to conceal the actual."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English actual, actuel (“active”), from Anglo-Norman actuel, actual, and its source Late Latin actuālis (“active, practical”), from Latin actus (“act, action, performance”), from agere (“to do; to act”) + -alis (“-al”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti, from the root *h₂eǵ-. By surface analysis, act + -u- + -al.

Etymology 2

From Middle English actual, actuel (“active”), from Anglo-Norman actuel, actual, and its source Late Latin actuālis (“active, practical”), from Latin actus (“act, action, performance”), from agere (“to do; to act”) + -alis (“-al”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti, from the root *h₂eǵ-. By surface analysis, act + -u- + -al.

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: actual