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

“We also have been faced with the fact they’ve settled pay in England but not here, we’ve allocated 57% of the budget this week to health,” she added.

From BBC

The following month, she said it was an "undeniable fact" that there were US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that could "release and spread deadly pathogens" as she called for a ceasefire.

From BBC

In fact, we’ll buy the whole thing.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, America’s rich are responsible for an enormous proportion of the global emissions causing climate change, even as per capita emissions are rising in many other countries.

From Salon

The great replacement theory is a statistical fact, being cemented into reality.

From Salon

Related Words

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