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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

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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

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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

That’s the ticking-clock catalyst of the film, setting Harry on a journey of recovery, made challenging by the fact that he doesn’t have a smartphone.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026

So special, in fact, that he went a second time.

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

In fact, Ms. Tafoya hasn’t courted the president’s approbation, but in an Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Williams said she was making a "statement of fact".

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

So long and so awkward that I give in to the fact that it’s just one more part of the endless torture that is today.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

“Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

"Talk to them about what they know, talk to them about what they're feeling. You can gently correct inaccurate facts," the doctor said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

Severin added that the retired senior judges and leading barristers, who sat on the Commission, have "spent their careers interpreting complicated facts, dealing with witnesses and applying relevant weight to evidence".

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Instead, it’s worth looking at things that seem much more attenuated from the facts of this concrete case.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

“I disagree. Based on the facts I currently have, I would say it is exceedingly accurate.”

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

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Related Words

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

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