fiction

[ fik-shuhn ]

noun

1. the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, especially in prose form.
2. works of this class, as novels or short stories:

   detective fiction.

3. something feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story:

   We've all heard the fiction of her being in delicate health.

   Synonyms: fantasy, fable

   Antonyms: fact

4. the act of feigning, inventing, or imagining.
5. an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation.
6. Law. an allegation that a fact exists that is known not to exist, made by authority of law to bring a case within the operation of a rule of law.

fiction

/ ˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. literary works invented by the imagination, such as novels or short stories
2. an invented story or explanation; lie
3. the act of inventing a story or explanation
4. law something assumed to be true for the sake of convenience, though probably false

fiction

1. Literature that is a work of the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact. Some examples of modern works of fiction are The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald , and Lolita , by Vladimir Nabokov .

Derived Forms

• ˈfictionally, adverb
• ˌfictionˈeer, noun
• ˈfictional, adjective

Other Words From

• fiction·al adjective
• fiction·al·ly adverb
• pro·fiction adjective
• semi·fiction noun
• semi·fiction·al adjective
• semi·fiction·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiction¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English ficcio(u)n, from French, from Latin fictiōn- (stem of fictiō ) “a shaping,” hence “a feigning, fiction,” equivalent to fict(us) “molded” (past participle of fingere ) + -iōn- -ion; figment ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fiction¹

C14: from Latin fictiō a fashioning, hence something imaginary, from fingere to shape

Synonym Study

Fiction, fabrication, figment suggest a story that is without basis in reality. Fiction suggests a story invented and fashioned either to entertain or to deceive: clever fiction; pure fiction. Fabrication applies particularly to a false but carefully invented statement or series of statements, in which some truth is sometimes interwoven, the whole usually intended to deceive: fabrications to lure speculators. Figment applies to a tale, idea, or statement often made up to explain, justify, or glorify oneself: His rich uncle was a figment of his imagination.

Example Sentences

Written in 1974 in opposition to the Vietnam War, the science fiction novel alternates between present and future civilizations on two worlds in a distant constellation.

From Los Angeles Times

A slim science fiction novel that looks at our “precious and precarious” world through the eyes of six astronauts on the International Space Station has won the 2024 Booker Prize.

From Los Angeles Times

But meta layers of surrealism are on brand for Aitken, who said he’s “really interested in that idea of, like, where the line between fiction and nonfiction gets blurred.”

From Los Angeles Times

This outrageous fiction builds on decades of GOP puffery and media complicity.

From Salon

It's a tempting fiction because it allows progressives to feel a measure of control over the situation.

From Salon

Related Words

• best seller
• book
• drama
• fable
• fantasy
• imagination
• legend
• myth
• narrative
• novel
• tale
• yarn