American English
/ˈæk.ʃu.l̩/
3 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Real and existing in fact, not imagined or invented.
“Actual” is commonly pronounced “AK-choo-ul” (/ˈæk.tʃu.l̩/) or with “sh” instead of “ch”: “AK-shoo-ul” (/ˈæk.ʃu.l̩/). You may also hear “AK-chuh-wuhl” (/ˈæk.tʃə.wl̩/) in American English.
Real and existing in fact, not imagined or invented.
The actual person was much taller.
These are actual events, not a movie scene.
Actual usually means “real,” not “current.” Use current for something that is happening or used now.
actual events · an actual person · the actual situation
actual + noun
The true amount, number, cost, or result, rather than an estimate, plan, or expectation.
The actual cost of the repair was $300.
We compared the actual results with our estimates.
actual cost · actual amount · actual number · actual results
the actual + noun + of + noun
in reality; in fact
In actual fact, the opposite was true.