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Fact comes from a Latin word meaning what?

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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

But the task is complicated by the fact that risks are dispersed across the Himalayas, while a 2015 earthquake destabilized many rock masses on the southern slopes, the embassy said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

There’s also the fact that “Looney Tunes,” as beloved a property as it is, has some substantial mileage on it.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

"The previous and well-accepted measurements were, in fact, fine and our current understanding of the fate of the universe remains robust," said lead author Dr. Phil Wiseman, from the University of Southampton.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026

“You don’t hide behind the fact that the fourth quarter wasn’t good enough. But I’m also not going to pretend we didn’t dominate that game through three quarters.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

In fact, once the sun set, Clare found it best to not leave his cottage at all.

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

Official details of the agreement are scarce, but the facts reported by the Journal over the weekend aren’t cause for enthusiasm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Porter’s family recently asked Hochman to convene a grand jury to hear the facts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

The influencer said Owens is particularly believable because she doesn’t claim to have all the facts or all the answers.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

The potential for a problem stems from two facts.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

I’d always put my faith in the facts.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

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