actually

adverb

/ˈæktʃuəli/

1 used in speaking to emphasize a fact or a comment, or that something is really true

What did she actually say?

It's not actually raining now.

The book was never actually published.

I'm glad we were actually able to get the message across.

That's the only reason I'm actually going.

There are lots of people there who can actually help you.

I didn't want to say anything without actually reading the letter first.

2 used to show a contrast between what is true and what somebody believes, and to show surprise about this contrast

It was actually kind of fun after all.

The food was not actually all that expensive.

Our turnover actually increased last year.

I couldn't believe it had all actually happened.

3 used to correct somebody in a polite way

We're not American, actually. We're Canadian.

Actually, it would be much more sensible to do it later.

They're not married, actually.

4 used to get somebody’s attention, to introduce a new topic or to say something that somebody may not like, in a polite way

Actually, I'll be a bit late home.

Actually, I'm busy at the moment—can I call you back?

Well, actually, I think she's done a pretty good job.

一般の会話ではdummy（無意味な挿入語）として使われることも多いが、正式なスピーチや文章中ではもっと慎重を期して使われる。文頭・文中・文尾すべてに置かれることがある

e.g.