factual

1 of 2

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə-wəl 

-chəl, 

-chü-əl, 

ˈfaksh-wəl

1

: of or relating to facts

a factual error

the factual aspects of the case

2

: restricted to or based on fact

a factual statement

She tried to separate what is factual from what is not.

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

factually

ˈfak-chə-wə-lē 

-chə-lē, 

-chü(-ə)-lē, 

ˈfaksh-wə-

adverb

factualness noun

factuality

2 of 2

noun

fac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌfakchəˈwalətē 

-ətē, 

-i

variants or less commonly factualness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being fact or factual

the factuality of his report

Synonyms of factual

Adjective

• historical
• documentary
• literal
• true
• nonfictional

Examples of factual in a Sentence

Adjective

That statement is not factual.

a report filled with factual errors

the factual aspects of the case

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Outside of factual content, Rise Films also produced ancient Roman sitcom Plebs, which ran on ITV2 for four seasons from 2013, and enjoyed a revival on Netflix last year. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 23 July 2026

The technology used to establish factual decisions proved effective, notwithstanding the complaints from Croatia and Norway about whether the ball had indeed brushed a strand of hair against Portugal or hit an overhead cable against England. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The lineup spans factual entertainment, automotive programming, film and sports content. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 July 2026

Similarly, Germany's goal versus Paraguay was overturned by VAR's interpretation of an obstruction rule, sparking debate over human judgment rather than factual data. — Renana Ashkenazi, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for factual

• artifactual
• counterfactual
• contractual
• tactual

Kids Definition

factual

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə(-wə)l 

ˈfaksh-wəl

1

: of or relating to facts

a factual error

2

: restricted to or based on fact

a factual statement

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

factually

ˈfak-chə(-wə)-lē 

ˈfaksh-wə-lē

adverb

factualness noun

Legal Definition

factual

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə-wəl 

1

: of or relating to facts

factual issues

2

: restricted to or based on fact

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

factually adverb

factualness noun