matter of fact
noun
something of a factual nature, as an actual occurrence.
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matter of fact
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matter-of-fact
matter-of-factadjectiveadhering strictly to fact; not imaginative; prosaic; dry; commonplace.
matter of fact
1 Americannoun
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something of a factual nature, as an actual occurrence.
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Law. a statement or allegation to be judged on the basis of the evidence.
matter-of-fact
2
American
[mat-er-uhv-fakt]
/ ˈmæt ər əvˈfækt /
adjective
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adhering strictly to fact; not imaginative; prosaic; dry; commonplace.
a matter-of-fact account of the political rally.
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direct or unemotional; straightforward; down-to-earth.
matter of fact
British
noun
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a fact that is undeniably true
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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
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philosophy a proposition that is amenable to empirical testing, as contrasted with the truths of logic or mathematics
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actually; in fact
adjective
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing matter-of-fact
"Birches" by Robert Frost
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a matter of fact, not a single comedy at all, much less a goofy comedy.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025
Ms Hodson wrote: "I asked him about the incident at his admissions meeting and he was monotone, emotionless and very matter of fact about his intentions."
From BBC • Oct. 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
“As a matter of fact, I was right.”
From Slate • Aug. 18, 2025
As a matter of fact, a man walked into a tree in front of our house and knocked out a tooth, thanks to Mother’s stretch pants.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
