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• matter of fact
  matter of fact

  noun

  something of a factual nature, as an actual occurrence.
• matter-of-fact
  matter-of-fact

  adjective

  adhering strictly to fact; not imaginative; prosaic; dry; commonplace.

matter of fact

¹ American  

noun

1. something of a factual nature, as an actual occurrence.

2. Law. a statement or allegation to be judged on the basis of the evidence.

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matter-of-fact ² American  

[mat-er-uhv-fakt] / ˈmæt ər əvˈfækt /

adjective

1. adhering strictly to fact; not imaginative; prosaic; dry; commonplace.

   a matter-of-fact account of the political rally.

2. direct or unemotional; straightforward; down-to-earth.

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matter of fact British  

noun

1. a fact that is undeniably true

2. law a statement of facts the truth of which the court must determine on the basis of the evidence before it Compare matter of law

3. philosophy a proposition that is amenable to empirical testing, as contrasted with the truths of logic or mathematics

4. actually; in fact

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adjective

1. unimaginative or emotionless

   he gave a matter-of-fact account of the murder

Other Word Forms

• matter-of-factness
  noun
• matter-of-factly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of matter of fact¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Origin of matter-of-fact²

First recorded in 1705–15

Explanation

Someone who's matter-of-fact is straightforward and unemotional. Your matter-of-fact friend won't get upset when her dog runs away — she'll call him calmly until he returns. Matter-of-fact things aren't fancy or stylish; they just tell it like it is. A matter-of-fact letter to the editor is practical and factual, and a kid's matter-of-fact apology for breaking his neighbor's window will take responsibility and offer a sincere "I'm sorry." A matter-of-fact news report doesn't sensationalize facts, but simply states them. Originally, matter-of-fact was a legal term meaning "portion of an enquiry concerned with truth or falsehood."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

matter of fact matter-of-fact

“As a matter of fact, I haven’t blown any money going to the Knicks in the NBA Finals in over 25 years.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

“As a matter of fact, the amount of work I did last year has not been affected in terms of preparation,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 15, 2026

Actually, as a matter of fact, we didn't.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2025

Jeffrey: As a matter of fact, it was clear to me the last time I saw you.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2025

“No, Connor, I don’t. As a matter of fact, I’m convinced that Branwell was struck dumb because he has a terrible secret of which he dare not speak.”

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

In her own matter-of-fact way, Grohl shrugs as she acknowledges the inescapable pressure of her last name.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

"There's something about being with someone who's very familiar with the process, who is matter-of-fact and at home with it and compassionate - that really helps," Behrens says.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Most of the stories are matter-of-fact, and Bertei avoids the absolute worst consequences for a while before she can’t outrun it any more.

From Salon ● Apr. 14, 2026

Mr. Herzog, who with his intensely dramatic yet dryly matter-of-fact vocal stylings lends the feature his typically scintillating narration, follows him on a journey to Namibia and Angola in search of the ghost elephants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

“But that is what Vivian told you, isn’t it? You don’t know that the baby didn’t need changing. As a matter-of-fact, you probably suspect that she did.”

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• deadpan
• down-to-earth
• factual
• pragmatic
• sober
• stoic
• unvarnished