Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - actually

~ S1 W1 adv 1 sentence adverb spoken used when you are giving an opinion or adding new information to what you have just said  (I've known Barbara for years. Since we were babies, actually. | I do actually think that things have improved. | We had quite a good time, actually. | Well actually you still owe me $200.) 2 used when you are telling or asking someone what the real and exact truth of a situation is, as opposed to what people may imagine  (He may look young but he's actually 45. | Disappointed? No, actually I'm rather glad. | Unemployment has actually fallen for the past two months. | Did he actually attack you, or just threaten you?)  ( USAGE NOTE: ACTUALLY WORD CHOICE: ~, currently, at present. ^~ (and actual) does not mean `at the present time' in English. Compare currently and at present. "Have you ever met Simon?" "I actually met him two years ago" (=in fact). "Is the company doing well?" "Yes." "It's currently doing very well/It's doing very well at present." In conversation, especially in British English, ~ can be used to make what you are saying softer, especially if you are correcting someone, disagreeing, or complaining. "Great! I love French coffee!" "Er, it's German actually." But it can be used with the opposite effect. I didn't ask your opinion, actually. )