= in fact
1. used for saying what is really true, when this is surprising or different from what people think
He was paid money for a job that did not in fact exist.
In actual fact, she was quite right.
2. used when you are adding something is true although it may be surprising
I haven't seen him for years. In fact, I cannot even remember what he looks like.
She's a friend of mine, a very close friend in fact.