factual

fac·tu·al

adjective \ˈfak-chə-wəl, -chəl, -chü-əl, ˈfaksh-wəl\

: limited to, involving, or based on facts

: of or relating to facts

Full Definition of FACTUAL

1

:  of or relating to facts <a factual error>

2

:  restricted to or based on fact <a factual statement>

— fac·tu·al·i·ty \ˌfak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē\ noun

— fac·tu·al·ly \ˈfak-chə-wə-lē, -chə-lē, -chü(-ə)-lē, ˈfaksh-wə-\ adverb

— fac·tu·al·ness noun

Examples of FACTUAL

1. That statement is not factual.
2. a report filled with factual errors
3. the factual aspects of the case

Origin of FACTUAL

fact + -ual (as in actual)

First Known Use: circa 1834

Related to FACTUAL

Synonyms

documentary, hard, historical, literal, matter-of-fact, nonfictional, objective, true

Antonyms

fictional, fictionalized, fictitious, nondocumentary, nonfactual, nonhistorical, unhistorical

Related Words

actual, authentic, bona fide, genuine, real, right; documented, established; confirmable, reliable, supportable, sustainable, verifiable; demonstrable, provable; incontestable, incontrovertible, indisputable, irrefutable, undeniable, unquestionable; plain, simple; certain, undoubted

Near Antonyms

hypothetical, speculative, theoretical (also theoretic); apocryphal, unauthentic, undocumented; chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantastic (also fantastical), imaginary, imagined, invented, legendary, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), pretend; embroidered, exaggerated; insupportable, unsupportable