actual
adjective [ only before noun ]
uk/ˈæktʃuəl/ ustrue or exact:
actual amount/cost/figure Residents are paying electricity prices that are double the actual cost of generating electricity.
There is a gap between desired and actual performance.
actual sales/results
real, rather than part of an idea or plan:
He's had a lot of interviews, but never had an actual job.
INTERNET
real, not on the internet:
The actual stores offer local convenience while the virtual stores offer variety for shoppers.
actual
noun [ usually plural ]
uk/ˈæktʃuəl/ us ACCOUNTING
an amount of money that a company really spends, rather than an amount of money that it plans or expects to spend:
We continuously compare budgeted amounts with actuals.
STOCK MARKET
something that physically exists such as oil, metal, grain, or coffee that is traded on the stock market:
Transactions can be trade in actuals or by means of futures contracts.
See also
cash commodity