early 14c., "pertaining to acts or an action;" late 14c. in the broader sense of "real, existing" (as opposed to potential, ideal, etc.); from Old French actuel "now existing, up to date" (13c.), from Late Latin actualis "active, pertaining to action," adjectival form of Latin actus "a doing" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move").
the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different
actual and imagined conditions
filmed the actual beating
we saw the actual wedding on television
her actual motive
rocks and trees...the actual world
actual heroism
the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced
the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West
activities
activity
actor
actress
Acts
actual
actualisation
actualise
actuality
actualization
actualize
