actually

actually
adverb
1 (sentence adverb) spoken used when you are giving an opinion or adding new information to what you have just said: I've known Barbara for years. Since we were babies, actually. | I do actually think that things have improved. | We had quite a good time, actually. | Well actually you still owe me $200.
2 used when you are telling or asking someone what the real and exact truth of a situation is, as opposed to what people may imagine: He may look young but he's actually 45. | Disappointed? No, actually I'm rather glad. | Unemployment has actually fallen for the past two months. | Did he actually attack you, or just threaten you?
USAGE NOTE: ACTUALLY WORD CHOICE: actually, currently, at present Actually (and actual) does not mean `at the present time' in English. Compare currently and at present: "Have you ever met Simon?" "I actually met him two years ago" (=in fact). "Is the company doing well?" "Yes." "It's currently doing very well/It's doing very well at present." In conversation, especially in British English, actually can be used to make what you are saying softer, especially if you are correcting someone, disagreeing, or complaining: "Great! I love French coffee!" "Er, it's German actually." But it can be used with the opposite effect: I didn't ask your opinion, actually.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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Synonyms:
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