fact
[fakt]
- something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
- something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
- a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
- something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
- Law. Often facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence.Compare question of fact, question of law.
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- after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime: an accessory after the fact.
- before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime: an accessory before the fact.
- in fact, actually; really; indeed: In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.
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Origin of fact
1530–40; < Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
case, matter, law, experience, evidence, information, accomplishment, phenomenon, circumstance, incident, factor, action, performance, data, statistic, certitude, basis, permanence, intelligence, dopeExamples from the Web for fact
Contemporary Examples
In fact, in a recent study of their users internationally, it was the lowest priority for most.
He loves the fact that, like on Grindr, users can identify as transgender.
In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.
In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.
And the fact that satire unnerves the intolerant is evidence of its positive power.
Historical Examples
Her parents knew of this fact, but mine were ignorant of it.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
In fact, a large portion of the whole book was built on that anecdote.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
The country all the way, in fact, is most miserable and intolerable.
Explorations in AustraliaJohn Forrest
The "state," as a matter of fact, is quite a recent invention.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
As a matter of fact, "civilization" never remains long in the same spot.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
fact
- an event or thing known to have happened or existed
- a truth verifiable from experience or observation
- a piece of informationget me all the facts of this case
- 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
- philosophy a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement
- after the fact criminal law after the commission of the offencean accessory after the fact
- before the fact criminal law before the commission of the offence
- as a matter of fact, in fact or in point of fact in reality or actuality
- fact of life an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one
- the fact of the matter the truth
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make
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
Word Origin and History for fact
n.
1530s, "action," especially "evil deed," from Latin factum "event, occurrence," literally "thing done," neuter past participle of facere "to do" (see factitious). Usual modern sense of "thing known to be true" appeared 1630s, from notion of "something that has actually occurred." Facts of life "harsh realities" is from 1854; specific sense of "human sexual functions" first recorded 1913.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.