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How Many Syllables in "Actually"?

Actually has 3 syllables

3 syllables
a · ctua · lly

Actually has 8 letters and 3 syllables. It is a three-syllable word — great for building complex rhyme patterns.

Definition of actually

adverb
  1. in actual fact; "to be nominally but not actually independent"; "no one actually saw the shark"; "large meteorites actually come from the asteroid belt"
  2. 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"

Words that rhyme with actually

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables does actually have?
Actually has 3 syllables. The syllable breakdown is: a-ctua-lly.
What words rhyme with actually?
Words that rhyme with actually include: factually, contractually, thistly, frizzly, casually. See all rhymes at Rhyme Buster.

What Is a Syllable?

A syllable is a unit of pronunciation that contains a single vowel sound. Every word has at least one syllable. For example, "cat" has 1 syllable, "water" has 2, and "beautiful" has 3. Syllable count determines a word's rhythm and is essential for writing poetry, songs, and structured verse like haiku (5-7-5).

Why Syllable Count Matters for Writers

  • Poetry & meter — Matching syllable counts across lines creates rhythmic patterns. Iambic pentameter uses exactly 10 syllables per line.
  • Songwriting — Lyrics need to fit a melody. Every note maps to a syllable — too many syllables crowd the beat, too few leave gaps.
  • Haiku — The 5-7-5 syllable structure is the most famous syllable-counting form. Use our counter to check your lines.
  • Rap & hip-hop — Multi-syllable rhymes (3+ syllables) sound more complex and impressive. "Education/imagination" hits harder than "cat/hat".

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