Main entry: actually, in reality
Definition: used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly
Usage: you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out; she actually spoke Latin; they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets; people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous
Definition: in actual fact
Usage: to be nominally but not actually independent; no one actually saw the shark; large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt
Main entry: actually
Definition: as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis
Usage: actually, we all help clear up after a meal; actually, I haven't seen the film; I'm not all that surprised actually; she hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually
Main entry: actually
Definition: at the present moment
Usage: the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air