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View synonyms for fact

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈfactful, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • fact·ful adjective
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of fact1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Admittedly, the underlying facts are quite different: After a brief pandemic spike, crime rates in New York have returned to near-historic lows, and violence in the subways is exceptionally rare.

From Salon

In fact, in truth there was no race and no battle.

From BBC

The moves appear in stark contrast to the White House's decision to fast-track the arrival of white South Africans - a fact that has been critiqued by refugee advocacy groups.

From BBC

Two of his victims took their own lives some years before the trial - a fact which he acknowledged in court with the same penitent but formulaic apology that he's offered to everyone else.

From BBC

The anomaly comes from the fact the 19-year-old signed for Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion last month in a £10m deal, with Watson completing the move in the summer.

From BBC

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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