actually

Actually is an English adverb used to indicate that what is being asserted is true in fact, often in contrast to what has been suggested or expected. Its core meaning is roughly "in fact" or "as a matter of fact," and it frequently introduces a correction, clarification, or emphatic statement. In spoken English it also serves as a discourse marker, signaling a pivot in a conversation: "I thought the film would be boring; actually, it was fantastic." Grammatically, actually usually modifies a verb, a clause, or the entire proposition; it is not a direct synonym for "very" or "truly" in all contexts.

The word is formed from the adjective actual plus the adverbial suffix -ly. It traces to early modern English, built on the Latin actualis via actual, from actus "a doing" and agere "to do." The sense "in reality" gradually broadened into flexible uses across genres and registers.

Common usage notes: actually can shade a correction, counter a stereotype, or temper a statement, but overuse or misplacement can sound pedantic or adversarial. In formal writing, some editors recommend reserving it for explicit corrections and avoiding it as a casual intensifier. In contrast, in conversational English its pragmatic value as a softener or attention-getter is widely recognized.

Related expressions include in fact and as a matter of fact, which carry similar meaning but different stylistic connotations.