fact

[ fakt ]
See synonyms for: factfacts on Thesaurus.com

noun
  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.

  1. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.

  2. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.

  3. 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.: Compare question of fact, question of law.

interjection
  1. Usually facts. Slang. very true; I fully agree: “He’s the best freakin’ goalie in the whole NHL.” “Facts.”

Idioms about fact

  1. after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime: an accessory after the fact.

  2. before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime: an accessory before the fact.

  1. in fact, actually; really; indeed: In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.

Origin of fact

1
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 do1

Other words from fact

  • fact·ful, adjective

Words that may be confused with fact

Words Nearby fact

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use fact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fact

fact

/ (fækt) /


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

  2. a truth verifiable from experience or observation

  1. a piece of information: get me all the facts of this case

  2. 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

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

  4. after the fact criminal law after the commission of the offence: an accessory after the fact

  5. before the fact criminal law before the commission of the offence

  6. as a matter of fact, in fact or in point of fact in reality or actuality

  7. fact of life an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one

  8. the fact of the matter the truth

Origin of fact

1
C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make

Derived forms of fact

  • factful, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with fact

fact

In addition to the idiom beginning with fact

  • facts of life

also see:

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.