nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˌnän-ˈfik-shən 

: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events

He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.

nonfictional

ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

He reads a lot of nonfiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, award-winning journalists deliver some nonfiction reads. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 July 2026

But above all, this page-turner by one of today’s great nonfiction writers is alert to the glories and terrors of daily inner life. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 July 2026

This season’s new fiction and nonfiction illuminate our manic world while offering riveting escapes. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Christian Jungen, head of the Zurich Film Festival, published a nonfiction book about de Hadeln’s life in 2018 titled Mister Filmfestival. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonfiction

• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• prediction
• restriction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction

Kids Definition

nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˈnän-ˈfik-shən 

: literature or cinema that is not fictional

nonfictional

(ˈ)nän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective