fact

[ fakt ]

noun

1. that which actually exists or is the case; reality or truth:

   Your fears have no basis in fact.

2. something known to exist or to have happened:

   Space travel is now a fact.

3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true:

   Scientists gather facts about plant growth.

4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened:

   The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.

5. Law. Often facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance relevant to a case, as distinguished from the legal effect of that event or circumstance. Compare question of fact, question of law.

interjection

1. Usually facts. Slang. very true; I fully agree:

   “He’s the best freakin’ goalie in the whole NHL.” “Facts.”

fact

/ fækt /

noun

1. an event or thing known to have happened or existed
2. a truth verifiable from experience or observation
3. a piece of information

   get me all the facts of this case

4. law often plural an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge
5. philosophy a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement
6. after the fact
   criminal law after the commission of the offence

   an accessory after the fact

7. before the fact
   criminal law before the commission of the offence
8. as a matter of fact or in fact or in point of fact
   in reality or actuality
9. fact of life
   an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one
10. the fact of the matter
    the truth

Derived Forms

• ˈfactful, adjective

Other Words From

• fact·ful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fact¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin factum “something done, deed,” noun use of neuter of factus “done,” past participle of facere “to do, make”; do ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fact¹

C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime:

   an accessory after the fact.

2. before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime:

   an accessory before the fact.

3. in fact, actually; really; indeed:

   In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.

More idioms and phrases containing fact

In addition to the idiom beginning with fact , also see after the fact ; in fact ; is that a fact ; matter of fact .

Example Sentences

In fact, nearly half of all stars similar to our sun have at least one companion star.

From Science Daily

In fact, obese fit individuals had significantly lower risk of death compared to normal weight unfit individuals.

From Science Daily

The fact they were all aware that Mr Pelicot was “recruiting” many other men too should be taken into account by the judges, he added.

From BBC

It's not clear whether the bonus has in fact been paid out, but the regulator will insist that it is not paid by the operating company, and must be borne by the company owners.

From BBC

In fact, “Wicked” operates with its audience constantly in mind, keeping an amiable pace that manages not to be bogged down by too many songs or unnecessary reprises.

From Salon

Related Words

• accomplishment
• action
• case
• circumstance
• data
• evidence
• experience
• factor
• incident
• information
• performance
• phenomenon
• statistic