ACTUAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does actual mean? 

• ACTUAL (adjective)
  The adjective ACTUAL has 5 senses:

1. presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

2. taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated

3. being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

4. existing in act or fact

5. being or existing at the present moment

  Familiarity information: ACTUAL used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACTUAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

Synonyms:

actual; existent

Context example:

actual and imagined conditions

Similar:

effective (existing in fact; not theoretical; real)

Attribute:

actuality (the state of actually existing objectively)

Antonym:

potential (existing in possibility)

Derivation:

actuality (the state of actually existing objectively)

actualize (represent or describe realistically)

actualize (make real or concrete; give reality or substance to)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated

Context example:

filmed the actual beating

Similar:

existent; real (being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory)

Derivation:

actuality (the state of actually existing objectively)

actualize (make real or concrete; give reality or substance to)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

Synonyms:

actual; genuine; literal; real

Context example:

a genuine dilemma

Similar:

true (consistent with fact or reality; not false)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Existing in act or fact

Synonyms:

actual; factual

Context example:

the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced

Similar:

existent; real (being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory)

Derivation:

actuality (the state of actually existing objectively)

actualize (represent or describe realistically)

actualize (make real or concrete; give reality or substance to)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Being or existing at the present moment

Context example:

the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West

Similar:

current (occurring in or belonging to the present time)

Derivation:

actuality (the state of actually existing objectively)

 Context examples 

Specifies whether the entity is real (actual) versus a placeholder (kind of).

(Actual Indicator, NCI Thesaurus)

The actual number of subjects entered into a clinical trial.

(Actual Subject Number, NCI Thesaurus)

The catalytic site of an enzyme, the part of an enzyme where the actual enzymatic function is performed.

(Active Site, NCI Thesaurus)

Although asteroid 2002 AJ129 is categorized as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA), it does not pose an actual threat of colliding with our planet for the foreseeable future.

(Asteroid 2002 AJ129 to Fly Safely Past Earth February 4, NASA)

By analyzing the effects of gravitational lensing on the image of this galaxy, we can determine its actual size and shape.

(NASA's Great Observatories Team Up to Find Magnified and Stretched Image of Distant Galaxy, NASA)

Actual number of subjects enrolled; may include subjects who were not randomized.

(Actual Subject Number, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Anaxirone alkylates DNA via actual or derived epoxide groups, resulting in inhibition of DNA synthesis.

(Anaxirone, NCI Thesaurus)

Body weight gain is the actual difference between two body weight measurements for any given interval for a subject.

(Body Weight Gain Domain, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

Specifies whether the biologic entity group is real (actual) vs. placeholder (kind of).

(Biologic Entity Group Actual Indicator, NCI Thesaurus)

Specifies whether the biologic entity is real (actual) vs. placeholder (kind of).

(Biologic Entity Actual Indicator, NCI Thesaurus)