Synonyms for actual
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
1. Real — existing in reality, not just potentially; really acted or acting; occurring in fact
real, true, genuine, substantial, effective, literal, certain, positive, legitimate, tangible, objective, absolute, demonstrable, unquestionable, veritable, good dated
Definitions
- adj. 1
Existing in reality, not just potentially; really acted or acting; occurring in fact.
the actual cost of goods; the actual case under discussion
Related words
- Word family
- actuality actualization actualize actually activity actor actuary
- Phrases
- actual parameter actual argument
Choose the right word
Actual has respect to a thing accomplished by doing, real to a thing as existing by whatever means or from whatever cause, positive to that which is fixed or established, developed to that which has reached completion by a natural process of unfolding.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- real New GATT resolutions could create a real shake-up.
- true The time will come when your dream will come true.
- genuine These letters have been acknowledged to be genuine.
- substantial Human vices provide substantial government income.
- current Dilma Rousseff is the current President of Brazil.
- present Those who were present were very glad at the news.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| actual | falling | |
| real | rising | |
| true | steady | |
| genuine | steady | |
| substantial | falling | |
| current | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- good1, real1, true1
- 7 letters
- current2, certain2, present2, genuine3, literal3, factual3
- 8 letters
- positive3, absolute3, tangible3, existent3
- 9 letters
- effective3, objective3, authentic3, veritable4
- 10 letters
- legitimate4
- 11 letters
- substantial3
- 12 letters
- demonstrable4
- 14 letters
- unquestionable5, nontheoretical
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (current2 = 2 syllables).