actuality

noun

ac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce actuality (audio)
ˌak-shə-
plural actualities
1
: the quality or state of being actual
2
: something that is actual : fact, reality
possible risks which have been seized upon as actualitiesT. S. Eliot
Phrases
in actuality
: in actual fact

Examples of actuality in a Sentence

The actuality was quite different from the theory. the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists
Recent Examples on the Web In actuality, that was just one of the four missions of exploration and the other three are virtually forgotten. Curtis Varnell The Timepiece, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024 In actuality, he’s won the same number of titles as Devine, Infante and Rhodes — zero. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 In actuality, the answer was spelled out the whole time. Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Tazewell’s patterns differ from actual mushroom shapes in their swirl and flow across Elphaba’s costumes — which subtly ties her to the ways that Grande’s Galinda, in personality and in actuality, loves to float. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for actuality 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'actuality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English actualite "capacity for action, effective power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuālitāt-, āctuālitās, from Late Latin āctuālis actual + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of actuality was in 1587

Dictionary Entries Near actuality

Cite this Entry

“Actuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actuality. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on actuality

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