ˈæk(t)ʃ(əw)əl ˈak(t)ʃj(ʊ)əl ˈfæk(t)ʃuəl ˈfak(t)ʃʊəl ˈfɛk(t)ʃʉɘl ˈdʒɛnjuːˌɪn ˈlɪt(ə)ɹəl ˈɹiːəl presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different actual and imagined conditions being or existing at the present moment the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated we saw the actual wedding on television filmed the actual beating existing in act or fact rocks and trees … the actual world actual heroism the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something her actual motive a literal solitude like a desert a genuine dilemma