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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, since the rule was changed ahead of last season, teams have predominantly opted to kick the ball away.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

In fact, she doesn’t really drink much at all.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026

In fact it's now "left almost completely up to schools what they should teach," says Lucy Crehan, an associate advisor on curriculum at Swansea University and education consultant.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

It’s a mathematical fact of life that a portfolio that loses 20% and then gains 20% will still be down 4%, while one that loses and gains 30% will still be down 9%.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026

Aside from the fact that he felt terribly out of place here in Fernlight, there could be wandering souls who needed him back at the cottage.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

"It upsets me no end to see people commenting on social media about something that they don't have firm facts on," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The most direct and obvious concern is the potential for jurors to bet on their own deliberations, creating financial incentives to reach particular outcomes, no matter the facts of the case.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 11, 2026

“The facts are the facts,” he said, “and those facts are, I traded Pedro.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

Nonetheless, they said Cook "welcomes the opportunity to present the facts so she can clear her name and demonstrate there is no legal basis to fire her."

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

He told her the few facts he’d found.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

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