nonfiction

[ non-fik-shuhn ]

/ nɒnˈfɪk ʃən /

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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.

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Origin of nonfiction

First recorded in 1905–10; non- + fiction

OTHER WORDS FROM nonfiction

non·fic·tion·al, adjectivenon·fic·tion·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby nonfiction

nonfat, nonfatal, nonfattening, nonfeasance, nonferrous, nonfiction, nonfiction novel, nonfinite clause, nonfinite verb, nonflammable, nonforfeiture value

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

How to use nonfiction in a sentence

Her nonfiction has been published in “Tin House,” “Essay Daily” and other publications.
Don’t miss these 2 books from award-winning queer writers|Kathi Wolfe|October 19, 2020|Washington Blade
From serious social commentary to truffle-hunting dogs, nonfiction movies are as vibrant and vital as ever.
11 compelling documentaries to watch for this fall|Alissa Wilkinson|October 9, 2020|Vox
This nonfiction doorstop from the ’80s might be languishing in the back of your local used bookstore.
Listen to Africa’s Singing Giants|Joshua Eferighe|October 2, 2020|Ozy
This is actually not a self-help or nonfiction book, but the book that resonates for me is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in tech|Rachel King|September 4, 2020|Fortune

Her previous book, Cure, hit the New York Times best-seller hardcover nonfiction and science lists.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
I was writing Lorrie Moore knock-off short stories before I switched to nonfiction.
Meghan Daum On Tackling The Unspeakable Parts Of Life|David Yaffe|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Excerpted from The Getaway Car: A Donald Westlake Nonfiction Miscellany.
Donald E. Westlake Defends the Semicolon|Donald E. Westlake|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ten more nonfiction books, including the stunning memoir Leaving Birmingham (1993), followed it.
Football Great Bob Suffridge Wanders Through the End Zone of Life|Paul Hemphill|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Countless essays, works of journalism, and touchstones of narrative nonfiction have shown us otherwise.
The Twisted History of the Noose|Kevin Canfield|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But what I find most compelling about Cole is not the ways he escapes the novel, but the ways he escapes nonfiction.
Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One—Himself Included|Benjamin Lytal|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He read nonfiction almost entirely and mainly historical works.
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
In addition, a large library of books on fiction and nonfiction subjects is maintained.
Sequoia [California] National Park|United States Department of the Interior
A chemical compound of highly impressionistic autobiographic nonfiction and highly romantic fiction and folk tales.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie
Whether fiction or nonfiction, as claimed by the author, this book realizes the relationships between Plains Indian and buffalo.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie
In the best of her fiction she is truer to life than he is in a good part of his nonfiction.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie

British Dictionary definitions for nonfiction

nonfiction

/ (ˌnɒnˈfɪkʃən) /

noun

writing dealing with facts and events rather than imaginative narration

(modifier) relating to or denoting nonfiction

Derived forms of nonfiction

nonfictional, 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

nonfiction

Origin of nonfiction

OTHER WORDS FROM nonfiction

Words nearby nonfiction

Words related to nonfiction

How to use nonfiction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nonfiction

Derived forms of nonfiction