factual

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

Synonyms of factual

• historical
• documentary
• literal
• true
• nonfictional

Examples of factual in a Sentence

That statement is not factual.

a report filled with factual errors

the factual aspects of the case

Recent Examples on the Web

The findings could give lawmakers a factual basis to demand answers and intensify scrutiny of whether the administration misled the court. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Lower costs and safety measures Tencent has also worked to reduce factual errors when Hy4 retrieves information. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Vincent went on to explain in later testimony that medical examiner reports are written with factual findings discovered in an autopsy in a way so that another examiner could read them and reach their own conclusion about the death. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Altonaga ruled that the dispute required a more developed factual record, particularly because the university’s earlier submissions selectively reproduced statements without providing their complete conversational context. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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