/ ˈæktʃuəl; NAmE / adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
used to emphasize sth that is real or exists in fact :
What were his actual words?
The actual cost was higher than we expected.
James looks younger than his wife but in actual fact (= really) he is five years older.
2.
used to emphasize the most important part of sth :
The wedding preparations take weeks but the actual ceremony takes less than an hour.
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WHICH WORD
actual / current / present
Actual does not mean current or present . It means 'real' or 'exact', and is often used in contrast with something that is not seen as real or exact:
I need the actual figures, not an estimate.
Present - 'existing or happening now ':
How long have you been in your present job?
Current also means 'existing or happening now', but can suggest that the situation is temporary:
The factory cannot continue its current level of production.
Actually does not mean 'at the present time'. Use currently , at present or at the moment instead.
· note at presently
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French actuel active, practical, from late Latin actualis , from actus event, thing done, act- done, from the verb agere , reinforced by the French noun acte .