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 (opposed to fiction and distinguished from 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

Explanation

When you read nonfiction, you're reading about something that really happened — it's not a story somebody made up. Prose is divided into the two big categories of fiction and nonfiction, and nonfiction includes all kinds of things — biographies, histories, memoirs, how-to books, self-help, books on business, even books on writing. Narrative nonfiction relates stories that really happened but in a way that draws you in just like fiction does; it tells a true story, but with lots of drama and all the interesting quirks of the characters.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nonfiction

He recommended she take a personal essay class taught by Pollan, author of nonfiction books including “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and this year’s “A World Appears.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The title just debuted at #12 on the New York Times combined print and e-book nonfiction bestseller list.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The book debuted this January at No. 1 on the New York Times hardcover nonfiction list, and Netflix acquired the rights for a film starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Whitehead, an enthusiastic amateur poker player, wrote the nonfiction book “The Noble Hustle” about his entry into the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Under its guidelines, by fourth grade, students will devote half their reading time to nonfiction, including historical documents, maps, and other “informational texts”—even such materials as train schedules and recipes.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove