Actuality — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē/ ac·tu·al·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Actuality

Actuality (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being actual
  2. something that is actual, fact, reality

Actuality (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the fact of being or of being real

    "the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists"

    similar: corporality, corporeality, existence, reality, subsistence, thingness
    related: genuineness, realness, activity, animation, life, currency, presence, prevalence
    opposite: inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality
    near: absence, dearth, lack, want, potentiality, virtuality

  2. the quality of being actual

    "the actuality of equal opportunity depends on more than just having laws that supposedly ensure it"

    similar: fact, factuality, materiality, reality
    related: authenticity, genuineness, truth, verity
    opposite: irreality, unreality
    near: fancy, fantasy, fiction, fictitiousness, dreaminess, surreality

  3. the state of being actual or complete

    "the actuality of a manned flight to the moon would never have been believed a hundred years ago"

    similar: accomplishment, achievement, actualization, attainment, consummation, fruition, fulfillment, pass, realization
    related: success, triumph
    opposite: naught, nonfulfillment
    near: defeat, failure, fizzle, nonsuccess

  4. something that actually exists

    "these estimated tax revenues, from casinos that have yet to be built, are being treated as actualities"

    similar: case, fact, materiality, reality
    related: certainty, inevitability, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, element, item, particular, thing
    opposite: fantasy, fiction, illusion
    near: eventuality, possibility, potentiality, probability

Related Entry: In actuality (phrase)

In actuality is a different word from Actuality. The synonyms below are for in actuality, not for actuality.

  1. to tell the truth

    "He told us he had been sleeping, when in actuality he was just ignoring our phone calls."

    similar: actually, admittedly, forsooth, frankly, honestly, indeed, really, truly, truthfully, verily, as a matter of fact, in fact, in point of fact, in reality, in truth, to be sure
    related: absolutely, certainly, indisputably, indubitably, positively, realistically, undoubtedly, unquestionably, veritably

  2. in actual fact

    "This cover is, in actuality, better than the original recording."

    similar: actually, authentically, certifiably, genuinely, really, truly, veritably, very, in reality, in truth
    related: accurately, exactly, just, precisely, right, sharp, smack-dab, squarely, almost, nearly, practically, virtually, literally, positively, simply
    opposite: professedly, supposedly
    near: apparently, ostensibly, outwardly, plausibly, seemingly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Actuality

The most common words with a similar meaning to Actuality:

corporality, corporeality, existence, reality, subsistence, thingness, fact, factuality, materiality, accomplishment, achievement, actualization, attainment, consummation, fruition, fulfillment, pass, realization, case

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Actuality

Words with the opposite meaning of Actuality:

inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality, irreality, naught, nonfulfillment, fantasy, fiction, illusion

Related Words for Actuality

genuineness, realness, activity, animation, life, currency, presence, prevalence, authenticity, truth, verity, success, triumph, certainty, inevitability, circumstance, event, occurrence, phenomenon, element, item, particular, thing

Near Antonyms of Actuality

absence, dearth, lack, want, potentiality, virtuality, fancy, fictitiousness, dreaminess, surreality, defeat, failure, fizzle, nonsuccess, eventuality, possibility, probability

Word Forms of Actuality

Inflections: actualities

Origin & Etymology of Actuality

Middle English actualite "capacity for action, effective power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuālitāt-, āctuālitās, from Late Latin āctuālis actual + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First known use: 1587

Words & Phrases Containing Actuality

in actuality

Frequently Asked Questions about Actuality

What does "Actuality" mean?

"Actuality" means the quality or state of being actual. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being actual. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Actuality"?

Other words for "Actuality" include corporality, corporeality, existence, reality, subsistence, thingness, fact and factuality. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Actuality" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Actuality"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Actuality". Common alternatives include corporality, corporeality, existence, reality, subsistence, thingness, fact, factuality, materiality and accomplishment.

What is the opposite of "Actuality"?

Antonyms of "Actuality" include inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality, irreality, naught and nonfulfillment. Near antonyms include absence, dearth, lack and want.

How do you use "Actuality" in a sentence?

Examples of "Actuality" in a sentence: "the actuality of the Abominable Snowman is not taken seriously by scientists"; "the actuality of equal opportunity depends on more than just having laws that supposedly ensure it"; "the actuality of a manned flight to the moon would never have been believed a hundred years ago".

Is "Actuality" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Actuality" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Actuality"?

"Actuality" is pronounced /ˌak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē/ and divided into syllables as ac·tu·al·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Actuality"?

"Actuality" comes from Middle English actualite "capacity for action, effective power," borrowed from Medieval Latin āctuālitāt-, āctuālitās, from Late Latin āctuālis actual + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity. First known use: 1587.