actual

1. Existing in fact; typically as contrasted with what was intended, expected, or believed
• - the estimate was much less than the actual cost
• - those were his actual words

2. Used to emphasize the important aspect of something
• - the book could be condensed into half the space, but what of the actual content?

3. Existing now; current
• - using actual income to measure expected income

·  presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible; "the predicted temperature and the actual temperature were markedly different"; "actual and imagined conditions"

·  taking place in reality; not pretended or imitated; "we saw the actual wedding on television"; "filmed the actual beating"

·  being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something; "her actual motive"; "a literal solitude like a desert"- G.K.Chesterton; "a genuine dilemma"

·  existing in act or fact; "rocks and trees...the actual world"; "actual heroism"; "the actual things that produced the emotion you experienced".