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fact

American  

[fakt] / fækt /

noun

• facts
  plural

1. that which actually exists or is the case; reality or truth.

   Your fears have no basis in fact.

2. something known to exist or to have happened.

   Space travel is now a fact.

3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true.

   Scientists gather facts about plant growth.

4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened.

   The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.

5. Law. Often facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance relevant to a case, as distinguished from the legal effect of that event or circumstance.

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interjection

1. Slang. Usually facts. very true; I fully agree.

   “He’s the best freakin’ goalie in the whole NHL.” “Facts.”

idioms

1. before the fact, prior to the commission of a crime.

   an accessory before the fact.

2. after the fact, after the commission of a crime.

   an accessory after the fact.

3. in fact, actually; really; indeed.

   In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.

fact British  

/ fækt /

noun

1. an event or thing known to have happened or existed

2. a truth verifiable from experience or observation

3. a piece of information

   get me all the facts of this case

4. law (often plural) an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge

5. philosophy a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement

6. criminal law after the commission of the offence

   an accessory after the fact

7. criminal law before the commission of the offence

8. in reality or actuality

9. an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one

10. the truth

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fact More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing fact

• after the fact
• in fact
• is that a fact
• matter of fact

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• factful
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• facts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fact

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin factum “something done, deed,” noun use of neuter of factus “done,” past participle of facere “to do, make”; see also do ¹

Explanation

You can't argue with facts: a fact is something proven to be true. It's important to distinguish between fact and fiction. When someone says, "Is that a fact?" they're asking "Is that really true?" When a detective says, "Give me the facts," he only wants information that is rock solid and confirmed. The job of science is to study things and figure out what the facts are in every field. Theories and opinions are not facts: you need to have proof for something to be a fact.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fact facts

In fact, Morocco's economy is booming, at least on the surface, but experts say the persistent allure of life on the other side of the border is rooted in deeper anxieties, particularly among the young.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

“And, in fact, it will take more visits and more pokes in the arm, literally, for children to do this.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026

In the Air India case, investigators will need to establish much more than the alleged fact that the captain's confirmatory test was positive.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

In fact, too much wealth or notoriety has become a deterrent, as wealthy new applicants arriving in Florida are learning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

It was even more amazing than the fact that Russell’s pop had given him his own car.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

"If a federal prosecution has been completed on a matter, the state cannot prosecute the matter on those same facts," said Mitchell Epner, a white-collar attorney and former federal prosecutor.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

When reporters confronted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with these facts, he responded that such criticisms were “invalid” and that the cyclosporiasis outbreak was “under control.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

All book adaptations, whether from novels or memoirs, could stand to embellish the facts here and there, or go ahead and reinvent the wheel when possible.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026

Given these facts and the situation on the ground in New York correctional facilities, it seems Alcaraz never stood a chance.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

I don’t know what’s going on, but this is preferable to hearing more facts about how much manure cows can produce in a day.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• accomplishment
• action
• case
• circumstance
• data
• evidence
• experience
• factor
• incident
• information
• performance
• phenomenon
• statistic