actual meaning

actual means 'real or existing, not imagined or supposed'.

actual :

real, true

adjective

▪ The actual price is $50.

▪ The real price is $50.

▪ We need the actual facts.

▪ We need the true facts.

paraphrasing

▪ genuine – real

▪ authentic – true

▪ real – existing

▪ factual – based on facts

actual

Pronunciation

actual [ˈæk.tʃu.əl]

The stress is on 'ac' and sounds like 'ak-choo-uhl'.

Common phrases and grammar about actual

actual - Common meaning

adjective
real, true

Part of Speech Changes for "actual"

▪ actuality (noun) – the state of being real or true

▪ actually (adverb) – in fact, really

Common Expressions with "actual"

▪ actual cost – real cost

▪ actual situation – real situation

▪ actual event – real event

▪ actual figure – real number

Important examples of actual in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, actual is often used to emphasize the reality of a situation or fact.

▪The actual cost was higher than expected.
▪The real cost was more than expected.

Example of a confusing word: virtual (simulated or not physically existing)

▪The virtual cost was higher than expected.
▪The simulated cost was more than expected.
"Actual" is an adjective used to stress the real or true nature of something, often to contrast with what was expected or assumed. In the sentence "The actual cost was higher than expected," "actual" emphasizes that the real cost differed from what was anticipated. On the other hand, "virtual" refers to something that is simulated or exists in effect but not in reality. Using "virtual" in "The virtual cost was higher than expected" would imply the cost is not real, which contradicts the intended meaning. Therefore, "actual" is the correct choice here.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

As an adjective, actual is used to modify nouns, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between real and assumed.

▪We need the actual report, not the draft.
▪We need the real report, not the draft.

actual

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

actual cost

'real cost', used when discussing financial matters.

▪The actual cost exceeded the budget.
▪The real cost was more than the budget.

actual fact

means 'true fact', used to emphasize the truth.

▪The actual fact is different from the rumor.
▪The true fact is not like the rumor.

Differences between similar words and actual

actual

,

real

differences

Actual emphasizes existence or truth, while real can also refer to authenticity.

actual
▪The actual story was surprising.
▪The real story was surprising.
real
▪The real diamond was very expensive.
▪The genuine diamond was very expensive.
actual

Words with the same origin as actual

The origin of actual

The word 'actual' comes from the Latin 'actualis', meaning 'pertaining to an act or action'.

Word structure

It has the root 'act' (to do) and the suffix 'ual' (related to), meaning 'related to action'.

Words with the same origin

The root of actual is act (to do). Words with the same root include action (a thing done), actor (one who acts), activate (to make active).

Please select an image in the quiz

Quiz

question

Your score is

Previous post and next post

mode

mode

1373
▪silent mode
▪airplane mode
noun ┃
Views 7
mode

mode

1373
a way of doing something, a method
▪silent mode – phone set to not make sounds
▪airplane mode – phone set to not communicate wirelessly
noun ┃
Views 7
actual

actual

1374
▪actual cost
▪actual situation
current
post
adjective ┃
Views 2
actual

actual

1374
real, true
▪actual cost – real cost
▪actual situation – real situation
adjective ┃
Views 2
teenage

teenage

1375
▪teenage years
▪teenage problems
adjective ┃
Views 3
teenage

teenage

1375
relating to teenagers
▪teenage years – the period from age 13 to 19
▪teenage problems – issues common among teenagers
adjective ┃
Views 3
parade

parade

1376
▪hold a parade
▪watch a parade
noun ┃
verb ┃
Views 7
parade

parade

1376
procession, march
▪hold a parade – organize a procession
▪watch a parade – see a procession
noun ┃
verb ┃
Views 7
lazy

lazy

1377
▪lazy afternoon
▪lazy person
adjective ┃
Views 2
lazy

lazy

1377
not active, not wanting to work
▪lazy afternoon – a slow afternoon
▪lazy person – someone who does not want to work
adjective ┃
Views 2
Same category words
business operations, efficiency

actual

real, true
current post
1374

complication

271

replace

314

consecutive

835

troubleshooter

1263
TOEIC_Vocabulary_List_PDF_PC
TOEIC_Vocabulary_List_PDF_Mobile

View All TOEIC PDFs

Visitors & Members
2+
VocaZip