How do you pronounce actually?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈæk.t͡ʃ(u.)(ə.)li/.

Where does actually come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

actually

/ˈæk.t͡ʃ(u.)(ə.)li/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.49 in modern English

Syllables: ac-tu-al-ly
IPA: /ˈæk.t͡ʃ(u.)(ə.)li/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In act or in fact; really; in truth; positively.

adv

Actively.

Obsolete

adv

Currently; at the time.

intj

Indicating affirmation, agreement.

Informal

Example Sentences

"His promises did not correspond with what he actually did."
"Neither actually […] nor passively."
"At the time whereof we are writing, though the Great George was on the throne and ladies wore gigots and large combs like tortoise-shell shovels in their hair, instead of the simple sleeves and lovely wreaths which are actually in fashion, the manners of the very polite world were not, I take it, essentially different from those of the present day: and their amusements pretty similar."
"A: That was a pretty good movie."
"B: Actually!"

Etymology

From Middle English actually, actuelly, equivalent to actual + -ly.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: actually
Suffix: actual

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈæk.t͡ʃ(u.)(ə.)li/
British English: /ˈæk(t)ʃᵿli/

Usage

Inflected Forms

actially (alternative) ackshually (alternative) ackshully (alternative) akshually (alternative) akshully (alternative) ackshly (alternative) akshly (alternative)

Derived Forms

exactually

Phrases

well actually if I'm honest tell the truth tell you the truth if truth be told true that true dat truth be told

Frequently Paired Words

if I'm honest tell the truth tell you the truth facts trufax if truth be told true that true dat

Synonyms

really above a bit actually all things considered as a matter of fact by right certainly come to think of it de facto definitely de jure fact is

Antonyms

figuratively metaphorically ostensibly virtually