1. Presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
   "actual and imagined conditions"; "the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different";
   - existent
    
2. Taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated
   "we saw the actual wedding on television"; "filmed the actual beating"
    
3. Existing in act or fact
   "rocks and trees … the actual world"; "actual heroism"; "the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced";
   - factual
    
4. Being or existing at the present moment
   "the ship's actual position is 22 miles due south of Key West"
    
5. Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
   "her actual motive";
   - genuine, literal, real

See also: actuality, current, effective, existent, real, true

Antonym: possible

Encyclopedia: Actual