Definitions:

1. as a sentence modifier to add slight emphasis adverb
   • Actually, I can't attend the party tonight.
2. at the present moment adverb
   • Actually, I can't attend the party tonight.
3. in actual fact adverb
   • Actually, I can't attend the party tonight.
4. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • Actually, I can't attend the party tonight.
5. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • I didn't know that he was a famous actor, but now I know, it's actually him.
6. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • She's not my sister, she's actually my cousin.
7. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • I thought the movie was boring, but actually, it was quite interesting.
8. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • It's not a real cat, it's actually a robot.
9. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
   • He's not a doctor, he's actually a nurse.
10. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • She's not from New York, she's actually from California.
11. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • The test was not easy, it was actually quite difficult.
12. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • I didn't think I could do it, but actually, I did it.
13. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • The food is not spicy, it's actually quite mild.
14. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • He's not tall, he's actually quite short.
15. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • She's not mean, she's actually quite nice.
16. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • It's not a car, it's actually a truck.
17. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • It's not a book, it's actually a magazine.
18. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • It's not a dog, it's actually a wolf.
19. used to imply that one would expect the fact to be the opposite of that stated adverb
    • It's not a pencil, it's actually a pen.

Synonyms:

• in reality
• now
• really