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

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

The heady early years at Apple, wartime endurance in Britain, Motown’s hidden genius and more of the month’s best nonfiction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

This complex relationship to the West in general and Texas—McMurtry’s home state—in particular courses through the McMurtry oeuvre of novels, screenplays, nonfiction and criticism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Most known and loved for 1984’s “Paris, Texas,” the filmmaker has more recently devoted his work to nonfiction storytelling.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

I know when I’m writing nonfiction, because my desk is full of books and documents and everything on earth.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

“I’ve been reading a lot more nonfiction, history and biographies. About everything, not just America.”

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie