Reality vs. Actuality — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Reality" refers to the state of things as they exist, while "actuality" emphasizes the true existence or occurrence of something, often contrasted with what was expected or believed.
Difference Between Reality and Actuality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Reality" encompasses everything that exists and is perceptible, irrespective of its being observed or understood. "Actuality," however, emphasizes the concrete existence or happening of a particular event or situation, especially in relation to concepts, potentialities, or expectations.
While "reality" often touches upon what is perceived or comprehended by individuals or communities, "actuality" leans more towards the factual occurrence of events. Reality can be subjective and may vary between individuals, but actuality stands firm on the ground of tangible truth.
In everyday language, "reality" is commonly used to discuss the nature of existence, truth, or experiences. For instance, virtual reality contrasts artificial environments with the physical world. "Actuality," on the other hand, is frequently employed when differentiating between expectations and what truly happens, as in the phrase "in actuality."
Philosophically, "reality" probes into what truly exists, often delving into debates on perception, consciousness, and the nature of existence. "Actuality," however, in philosophical terms, often contrasts potentiality – the capacity for something to change or develop.
"Reality" and "actuality" can sometimes be used interchangeably, but the context usually determines the distinction. While reality has a broader sweep, encompassing everything real, actuality hones in on specific occurrences or truths, especially in the face of contrary beliefs or expectations.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The state of things as they exist.
The true existence or occurrence of something.
Relation to Perception
Can be subjective, based on perception.
More objective, focusing on factual happenings.
Use in Discourse
Discusses the nature of existence or truth.
Differentiates between what's expected vs. what's true.
Philosophical Context
Deals with what truly exists, often in broad terms.
Often contrasts with potentiality or possibilities.
Scope
Broader, encompassing all that is real.
Narrower, emphasizing concrete occurrences or truths.
Compare with Definitions
Reality
The state of things as they exist.
The reality of the situation was far from the rumors.
Actuality
The state of truly existing or happening.
The actuality of the event surprised everyone.
Reality
Truth or facts of a situation.
He had to face the harsh reality of his actions.
Actuality
The manifestation of something in fact.
His dreams were far from actuality.
Reality
Genuine occurrence or state of affairs.
The project's failure was an unfortunate reality.
Actuality
Concrete facts or occurrences.
In actuality, the results were different from the predictions.
Reality
The totality of real things and events.
Reality can sometimes be stranger than fiction.
Actuality
The quality of being actual or real.
The actuality of the threat became evident.
Reality
Reality is the sum or aggregate of all that is real or existent within a system, as opposed to that which is only imaginary. The term is also used to refer to the ontological status of things, indicating their existence.
Actuality
The state or fact of being actual; reality.
Reality
The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them
Laura was losing touch with reality
He refuses to face reality
Actuality
Often actualities Actual conditions or facts.
Reality
The state or quality of having existence or substance
Youth, when death has no reality
Actuality
The state of existing; existence.
Reality
The quality or state of being actual or true.
Actuality
An instance or quality of being actual or factual; fact.
Reality
One, such as a person, an entity, or an event, that is actual
"the weight of history and political realities" (Benno C. Schmidt, Jr.).
Actuality
(television) Live reporting on current affairs.
Reality
The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.
Actuality
A short early motion picture.
Reality
That which exists objectively and in fact
Your observations do not seem to be about reality.
Actuality
The state of being actual; reality; as, the actuality of God's nature.
Reality
Relating to or being a genre of television or film in which a storyline is created by editing footage of people interacting or competing with one another in unscripted, unrehearsed situations.
Actuality
The state of actually existing objectively;
A hope that progressed from possibility to actuality
Reality
The state of being actual or real; realness.
The reality of the crash scene on TV dawned upon him only when he saw the victim was no actor but his friend.
Actuality
A real situation as opposed to a potential one.
They had feared a disaster, but the actuality was much milder.
Reality
The real world.
Reality
A real entity, event, or other fact.
The ultimate reality of life is that it ends in death.
Reality
The entirety of all that is real.
Reality
An individual observer's own subjective perception of that which is real.
Reality
(obsolete) loyalty; devotion.
Reality
; real estate.
Reality
The state or quality of being real; actual being or existence of anything, in distinction from mere appearance; fact.
A man fancies that he understands a critic, when in reality he does not comprehend his meaning.
Reality
That which is real; an actual existence; that which is not imagination, fiction, or pretense; that which has objective existence, and is not merely an idea.
And to realities yield all her shows.
My neck may be an idea to you, but it is a reality to me.
Reality
Loyalty; devotion.
To express our reality to the emperor.
Reality
See 2d Realty, 2.
Reality
All of your experiences that determine how things appear to you;
His world was shattered
We live in different worlds
For them demons were as much a part of reality as trees were
Reality
The state of being actual or real;
The reality of his situation slowly dawned on him
Reality
The state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be;
Businessmen have to face harsh realities
Reality
The quality possessed by something that is real
Reality
A realm or dimension that exists.
Virtual reality offers an escape from the physical world.
Common Curiosities
Can reality be subjective?
Yes, reality can be subjective, influenced by individual perceptions and beliefs.
Is actuality always tangible?
Actuality often refers to tangible occurrences or facts, contrasting with potential or expected situations.
Can actuality differ from expectation?
Yes, actuality often contrasts with what was anticipated or believed.
Can two people have different realities?
Yes, based on their perceptions, experiences, and beliefs, two people can perceive different realities.
Are reality and actuality synonyms?
They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but they have nuanced differences.
How do augmented reality and reality differ?
Augmented reality overlays digital information on the real world, while reality is the physical world as is.
Can actuality be subjective?
Actuality leans towards objective truths, but interpretation of facts can introduce subjectivity.
How does virtual reality differ from actual reality?
Virtual reality is an artificial environment created by software, whereas actual reality is the physical world we live in.
Is reality fixed or can it change?
Reality can change, influenced by various factors, including time, events, and perceptions.
How is actuality used in philosophy?
In philosophy, actuality often contrasts with potentiality, referring to realized states versus potential states.
What's the actuality of a rumored situation?
It refers to the true state of affairs as opposed to rumored or believed versions.
How does reality relate to consciousness?
Reality can be influenced by consciousness, as our awareness and perceptions shape our understanding of the world.
Can dreams be considered reality?
Dreams are mental experiences, but whether they're considered a form of reality can be subjective.
Is actuality more concrete than reality?
Actuality emphasizes specific, concrete truths or occurrences, whereas reality has a broader scope.
Is actuality always factual?
Actuality emphasizes factual existence or occurrence, particularly in contrast to what was believed or expected.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
