[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: actuel, from Late Latin actualis, from Latin actus; ⇨ ↑ACT1]
1. used to emphasize that something is real or exact:
I’m not joking. Those were his actual words.
I know Germany won, but I can’t tell you the actual score.
Interest is only charged on the actual amount borrowed.
In actual fact (=really), there is little evidence to support the allegations.
► Do not use actual to mean ‘at the present time’. Use current or present: the current (NOT actual) economic policy
2. the actual something used to introduce the most important part of an event or activity:
The programme starts at 8.00 but the actual film doesn’t start until 8.30.