nonfiction

American  

[non-fik-shuhn] / nɒnˈfɪk ʃən /

noun

1. 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 (fiction and poetry anddrama ).

2. works of this class.

   She had read all of his novels but none of his nonfiction.

3. (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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nonfiction British  

/ ˌnɒnˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. writing dealing with facts and events rather than imaginative narration

2. (modifier) relating to or denoting nonfiction

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Other Word Forms

• nonfictional adjective
• nonfictionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of nonfiction

First recorded in 1905–10; non- + fiction

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, nonfiction authors contemplate a Spanish shipwreck, a racially motivated murder, the origins of great ideas and how laughter can change our lives.

From Los Angeles Times

Comedian Nate Bargatze’s story collection “Big Dumb Eyes” made its debut at No. 1 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction list when it was published in May.

From The Wall Street Journal

What “The Wolf War” also does—and a lot of nonfiction TV doesn’t—is approach its subject in an honestly evenhanded, objective manner.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s no way for a general moviegoer to know what the ratio of fiction to nonfiction in is a scruffy DIY object like “Burt,” with characters playing versions of themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

In case you missed it: Ten works of fiction and nonfiction that stood out among those our reviewers read this year, selected by the Journal’s books editors.

From The Wall Street Journal