英汉词典

1. 真实的；实际的
    You use actual to emphasize that you are referring to something real or genuine.

    e.g. The segments are filmed using either local actors or the actual people involved...
           这些片断是由当地的演员或真实的当事人参与拍摄的。
    e.g. Officials admit the actual number of AIDS victims is much higher than statistics reflect.
           官员们承认艾滋病患者的实际数量比统计所显示的数字要大得多。

2. （用于对比主次方面）真正的，实际的
    You use actual to contrast the important aspect of something with a less important aspect.

    e.g. She had compiled pages of notes, but she had not yet gotten down to doing the actual writing...
           她已编写了数页注释，但还未开始真正意义上的写作。
    e.g. The exercises in this chapter can guide you, but it will be up to you to do the actual work.
           这一章的练习能给你指导，但实际的工作还得靠你自己完成。

3. in actual fact -> see fact