Actually Definition
actually
adverb
- in actual fact; "to be nominally but not actually independent"; "no one actually saw the shark"; "large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt"
- used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated; surprisingly; "you may actually be doing the right thing by walking out"; "she actually spoke Latin"; "they thought they made the rules but in reality they were only puppets"; "people who seem stand-offish are in reality often simply nervous"
- at the present moment; "the transmission screen shows the picture that is actually on the air"
- as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis; "actually, we all help clear up after a meal"; "actually, I haven't seen the film"; "I'm not all that surprised actually"; "she hasn't proved to be too satisfactory, actually"
"Actually" in song lyrics
See how actually is used in real songs:
-
"in the back of his cranial cavity which is actually"
A+ f/ Canibus, Mr. Cheeks — Boyz 2 Men -
"With branches for the heavens to admire actually"
Aesop Rock — No Splash -
"I let the schadenfreude boy out actually"
Aesop Rock f/ El-P — Gun For the Whole Family
Words that rhyme with actually
Usage tips for "actually"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "actually" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for actually to find words that pair well.