fact

[fakt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fact ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Idioms

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.

Origin of fact

1530–40; < Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do¹

Related formsfact·ful, adjective

Can be confusedfacts FAQs fax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fact

case, matter, law, experience, evidence, information, accomplishment, phenomenon, circumstance, incident, factor, action, performance, data, statistic, certitude, basis, permanence, intelligence, dope

Examples from the Web for fact

Contemporary Examples of fact

In fact, in a recent study of their users internationally, it was the lowest priority for most.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem
David Levesley
January 9, 2015
He loves the fact that, like on Grindr, users can identify as transgender.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem
David Levesley
January 9, 2015
In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal
Dave Majumdar
January 8, 2015
In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal
Dave Majumdar
January 8, 2015
And the fact that satire unnerves the intolerant is evidence of its positive power.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too
John Avlon
January 8, 2015

Historical Examples of fact

Her parents knew of this fact, but mine were ignorant of it.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
In fact, a large portion of the whole book was built on that anecdote.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
The country all the way, in fact, is most miserable and intolerable.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
The "state," as a matter of fact, is quite a recent invention.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
As a matter of fact, "civilization" never remains long in the same spot.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon

British Dictionary definitions for fact

fact

noun

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

Derived Formsfactful, adjective

Word Origin for fact

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

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.

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