Added 8 October 2026
actual
/ˈækʃuəl/ adjective
In Latin: vērus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about actual at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible.
the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different
-
Taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated.
we saw the actual wedding on television
-
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something.
her actual motive
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)