nonfiction

American  

[non-fik-shuhn] / nɒnˈfɪk ʃən /

noun

1. the branch of literature comprising works of narrative prose dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures upon facts and reality, including biography, history, and the essay (opposed to fiction and distinguished from poetry anddrama ).

2. works of this class.

   She had read all of his novels but none of his nonfiction.

3. (especially in cataloging books, as in a library or bookstore) all writing or books not fiction, poetry, or drama, including nonfictive narrative prose and reference works; the broadest category of written works.

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nonfiction British  

/ ˌnɒnˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. writing dealing with facts and events rather than imaginative narration

2. (modifier) relating to or denoting nonfiction

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Other Word Forms

• nonfictional
  adjective
• nonfictionally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of nonfiction

First recorded in 1905–10; non- + fiction

Explanation

When you read nonfiction, you're reading about something that really happened — it's not a story somebody made up. Prose is divided into the two big categories of fiction and nonfiction, and nonfiction includes all kinds of things — biographies, histories, memoirs, how-to books, self-help, books on business, even books on writing. Narrative nonfiction relates stories that really happened but in a way that draws you in just like fiction does; it tells a true story, but with lots of drama and all the interesting quirks of the characters.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nonfiction

Bestselling nonfiction writer Michael Pollan, a former teacher of Hackney’s at Harvard who championed her work, said he can’t help but compare her account of Appalachia to the vice president’s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Justin Halpern had a best-selling nonfiction book, co-created “Harley Quinn,” is co-showrunner for “Abbott Elementary” and has recently published his first novel, “Get Lost.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

In nonfiction, authors consider how we define wild places, how we pigeonhole the aging, and how languages live or die.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Hurowitz said he would pursue titles in literary fiction, sci-fi and mystery, as well as narrative nonfiction, children’s books and plays.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

“The ones back there are children’s and young adult books. Fiction, nonfiction, novels and poetry, comics and graphic novels. Anything that I think you folks might enjoy.”

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila