fact

[fakt]

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.

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.

interjection

1. Slang.,  Usually facts. very true; I fully agree.

   “He’s the best freakin’ goalie in the whole NHL.” “Facts.”

fact

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• factful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fact¹

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”; do ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fact¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing fact

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

Example Sentences

"The fact that it was led by my former student, Itai, makes it even more meaningful. It's another scientific achievement that places Israel at the forefront of international astrophysics."

Read more on Science Daily

This is compounded by the fact that Gen Kainerugaba, 51, who is now the army chief, and has said he wants to succeed his father one day, has enlisted his own son into the army.

Read more on BBC

But that doesn’t take away from the fact of what it does to them,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While dubbed "Battlefield 6", the new EA game is in fact the 10th in the series, which also includes several spin-off titles.

Read more on Barron's

The International Energy Agency, in fact, sees data centers in advanced economies accounting for 20% of the growth in power demand over the next five years.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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