matter of fact

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: matter of fact / matter-of-factly on Thesaurus.com

noun

something of a factual nature, as an actual occurrence.

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

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of matter of fact

First recorded in 1575–85

Other definitions for matter of fact (2 of 2)

matter-of-fact

[ mat-er-uhv-fakt ]

/ ˈmæt ər əvˈfækt /

adjective

adhering strictly to fact; not imaginative; prosaic; dry; commonplace: a matter-of-fact account of the political rally.

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

Origin of matter-of-fact

First recorded in 1705–15

OTHER WORDS FROM matter-of-fact

matter-of-factly, adverbmatter-of-factness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use matter of fact in a sentence

To borrow an old right-wing talking point, these people are angry no matter what we do.
Harry Shearer on The Dangerous Business of Satire|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The end of conventional childbirth might only be a matter of time.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women|Samantha Allen|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In the absence of cultural shifts, then, new reproductive technology might not matter as much for women as it would for men.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women|Samantha Allen|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Before we get to all that, permit me a brief reflection on this matter of Steve Scalise.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Nixon said defending the two islands was “a matter of principle.”
The World’s Toughest Political Quiz|Jeff Greenfield|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I assure you, no matter how beautifully we play any piece, the minute Liszt plays it, you would scarcely recognize it!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
I hate to be long at my toilette at any time; but to delay much in such a matter while travelling is folly.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
“And the matter of the will was all disposed of by the probate judge today, I hear,” said the judge, his hand on the door.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The first month I was here, when there were only five of us, it was quite another matter, but now the room is crowded every time.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Let us look over these points again, and make the matter still clearer and more simple.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for matter of fact

matter of fact

noun

a fact that is undeniably true

law a statement of facts the truth of which the court must determine on the basis of the evidence before itCompare matter of law

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

as a matter of fact actually; in fact

adjective matter-of-fact

unimaginative or emotionlesshe gave a matter-of-fact account of the murder

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

matter of fact

Origin of matter of fact

Other definitions for matter of fact (2 of 2)

Origin of matter-of-fact

OTHER WORDS FROM matter-of-fact

Words related to matter of fact

How to use matter of fact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for matter of fact