fictional

adjective

fic·​tion·​al ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, characterized by, or occurring in fiction : invented by the imagination

a fictional story/character

fictional dialogue

Over the past 15 years, Noble has created a fantastical, awe-inspiring fictional city called Nobson Newtown, which he renders in painstakingly detailed pencil drawings …

—Steve Rose

There are several surprises about stories. The first is that we spend a great deal of time in fictional worlds, whether in daydreams, novels, confabulations or life narratives. When all is tallied up, the decades we spend in the realm of fantasy outstrip the time we spend in the real world.

—David Eagleman

Besides scholarly writings and cultural criticism, he's turned out a fictional mystery series starring Edgar Allan Poe …

—Edward Lewine

fictionally

ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl-ē 

adverb

… a film that documents the history of space science and fictionally portrays a journey to the moon …

—Lynn Baker et al.

Synonyms of fictional

• fictitious
• imaginary
• mythical
• imagined
• fantasied

Examples of fictional in a Sentence

the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional

Recent Examples on the Web

In the latest iteration of her daily vlogs, the 51-year-old former reality star channeled the fictional Ingalls family from the Little House franchise, wearing a bonnet, light-blue blouse and a ribbon tie. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Claire Foy plays Lamb’s fictional wife, Jules Davies, who also serves as deputy editor of the controversial newspaper. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 July 2026

Audiences are still flocking to true stories as well as fictional narratives set in an authentic past. — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 July 2026

On Curb Your Enthusiasm, Fox came up with the idea to play a mercurial fictional version of himself, where the line between bad behavior and Parkinson’s mishaps is hilariously blurred. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fictional

• frictional
• jurisdictional