◙ adjective 1. existing in fact, typically as contrasted with what was intended, expected, or believed • 实际存在的（尤与曾经打算、期望或相信的相对） »the estimate was much less than the actual cost. 估计成本比实际成本要少得多。 »those were his actual words. 那些就是他的原话。 used to emphasize the important aspect of something • [用于强调某事的重要方面] 实际的 »the book could be condensed into half the space, but what of the actual content? 那本书是可以浓缩成原来的一半长短，但是实际的内容怎么办呢？ 2. existing now;current • 现存的；当前的 »using actual income to measure expected income. 以当前收入来衡量预期收入。
【IDIOMS】
◘ in actual fact 1. used to emphasize a comment, typically one that modifies or contradicts a previous statement • 实际上（用于强调一意见，尤指更改先前或与先前所说相抵触的言论） »people talk as if he was a monster—in actual fact he was a very kind guy. 人们谈起他来好像他是个怪物——但实际上他是个很好的人。 ◘ your actual — 1. [informal] the real, genuine, or important thing specified • [非正式] 真实的，真正的，重要的 »is this a drop of your actual feminine intuition? 这真是你的一点女性直觉吗？
【语源】
1. Middle English : from Old French actuel 'active, practical', from late Latin actualis, from actus (seeact)