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 scarcity of factual support for the claims hasn’t been lost on technologists and encryption experts. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026

On a factual task, in domains like law or medicine, disagreement is real but bounded. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Modern magazine journalism generally combines factual reporting with narrative storytelling techniques, including scene-setting, descriptive detail, and literary-style writing. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May 2026

Such is the nature of the law at work that this or some other factual variation may be the subject of a future ruling – and a future column. —Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 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