• adjective:   taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated

  Example: "We saw the actual wedding on television"

• adjective:   of the nature of fact; having actual existence

  Example: "Rocks and trees...the actual world"

• adjective:   being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something

  Example: "Her actual motive"

• adjective:   presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

  Example: "The predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different"

• adjective:   being or existing at the present moment

  Example: "The ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West"

• adjective:   existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not

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