matter-of-fact
[mat-er-uh v-fakt]
- 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.
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Origin of matter-of-fact
First recorded in 1705–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for matter-of-factly
Contemporary Examples
“I stalked her,” Lavie says matter-of-factly when asked how she and Ivgy first met.
“Drew was being annoying about something,” Jonathan says matter-of-factly, straining his brain for the details of their last tiff.
During these conversations I will matter-of-factly mention my husband, because it feels nothing but natural for me to do so.
“The number of opportunities I had to play drug dealers or detectives was absurd,” he says, matter-of-factly.
“They replaced me on the RL Gang,” she said matter-of-factly.
Historical Examples
It was Nana who matter-of-factly came to ask for a bed; and in what a state.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
"Rosemary told Mr. Jordan last night," she said matter-of-factly.
RosemaryJosephine Lawrence
"Had an accident," Hetty said matter-of-factly, putting the last dishes on the table.
Make Mine HomogenizedRick Raphael
“Execute him, I suppose,” the harsh voice said matter-of-factly.
Monkey On His BackCharles V. De Vet
He said clearly and matter-of-factly, "I want that one, Helen."
The Short LifeFrancis Donovan
Word Origin and History for matter-of-factly
matter-of-fact
also matter of fact, 1570s as a noun, originally a legal term (translating Latin res facti), "that portion of an enquiry concerned with the truth or falsehood of alleged facts," opposed to matter of law. As an adjective from 1712. Meaning "prosaic, unimaginative" is from 1787. Related: Matter-of-factly; matter-of-factness. German Tatsache is said to be a loan-translation of the English word.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper