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 Jordan Parke is able to do this is an embarrassment," she said.

Read more on BBC

The fact, though, is that U.S. banks as a whole aren’t extremely exposed to private credit.

Read more on Barron's

Semantic memories consist of remembered facts not personally experienced, such as the date of someone’s birthday, while episodic ones are recalled from experience: the memory of a birthday party.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s tempting to believe we can supersede that, but the fact is, we’re always going to be attempting to unpick the injustices that exist absolutely.

Read more on Salon

In fact, it was used as a reason for me losing my job because even Tottenham decided to exclude the first 10 games - because they were an anomaly, apparently.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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