late 14c., "power, efficacy," from Medieval Latin actualitatem (nominative actualitas ), from Late Latin actualis "pertaining to action," from Latin actus "a doing" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move"). A Latin loan-translation of Greek energeia "activity, action, operation" (see energy ). Meaning "state of being real" is from 1670s ( actualities "existing conditions" is from 1660s).

Mod. use of actuality in the sense of realism, contact with the contemporary, is due to Fr. actualite , from actuel , which does not mean actual, real, but now existing, up to date. [Weekley]

1650s, "powerful in operation," from Greek energetikos "active," from energein "to work, be in action, act upon" (see energy ). Of persons, "active," in English from 1796 ( energetical "operative" is from c. 1600; from 1630s as "full of energy," while energical is attested from 1560s). Related: Energetically .