nonfiction

[ non-fik-shuh n ]

/ nɒnˈfɪk ʃən /

noun

the branch of literature comprising works of narrative prose dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures upon facts and reality, including biography, history, and the essay (opposed to fiction and distinguished from poetry and drama).

works of this class: She had read all of his novels but none of his nonfiction.

(especially in cataloging books, as in a library or bookstore) all writing or books not fiction, poetry, or drama, including nonfictive narrative prose and reference works; the broadest category of written works.

Nearby words

nonfatal, nonfattening, nonfeasance, nonfenestrated forceps, nonferrous, nonfiction, nonfiction novel, nonfinite, nonfinite clause, nonfinite verb, nonflammable

Origin of nonfiction

First recorded in 1905–10; non- + fiction

Related formsnon·fic·tion·al, adjectivenon·fic·tion·al·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for non-fiction

His non-fiction fills, or helps to fill, the void left by Foster Wallace.
Charles D’Ambrosio’s X-Ray Vision Is On Full Display In His New Essay Collection.|Steve Almond|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Orlean taught us to look and listen, while Wheeler explored how to use dialogue in non-fiction.
Want to Write a Book? Go to Iceland|Adam LeBor|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Non-fiction books are great because they provide you with a lot of interesting and often actionable knowledge.
The Best Apps for Developing Sherlock Holmes-Like Reading Skills|Ari Meisel|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And anyway, I try not to draw a dividing line between fiction and non-fiction.
Image is Everything: An Interview with Alejandro Zambra|Juan Vidal|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I like to work on four or five books at a time —fiction, non-fiction, poetry.
Image is Everything: An Interview with Alejandro Zambra|Juan Vidal|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After he has bought or rented a typewriter, the would-be free lance in the non-fiction field has his workshop only half equipped.
If You Don't Write Fiction|Charles Phelps Cushing
Puts book cards into slots in desk; fiction, non-fiction and teachers.
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa, Canada June 26-July 2, 1912|Various
Do you stamp fiction and non-fiction on different parts of the same card?
Papers and proceedings of the thirty-fifth general meeting of the American Library Association, 1913|Various
Uses different ink pads for fiction and non-fiction, and dating pencils.
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa, Canada June 26-July 2, 1912|Various
Useful arts, next to literature, was the most popular class of non-fiction circulated last year.
Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 1 (of 2)|William Denison Lyman

British Dictionary definitions for non-fiction

nonfiction

/ (ˌnɒnˈfɪkʃən) /

noun

writing dealing with facts and events rather than imaginative narration

(modifier) relating to or denoting nonfiction

Derived Formsnonfictional, adjectivenonfictionally, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for non-fiction

non-fiction

adj.

also nonfiction, 1909 (non-fictional is from 1903), from non- + fiction.

nonfiction

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of nonfiction

Examples from the Web for non-fiction

British Dictionary definitions for non-fiction

nonfiction

noun

Word Origin and History for non-fiction

non-fiction