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

The first five-plus hours of Julia Loktev’s documentary epic, about young journalists trying to do their jobs in an increasingly repressive Russia, was one of the great nonfiction achievements of recent years. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

The space and prominence Barbera has accorded to nonfiction has only grown in the years since. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Award categories include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, debut, genre, children’s, drama, young adult and middle grade, the latter being the category Safadi’s book earned its accolade. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026

Grandmasters premiered as a documentary series at Tribeca Festival in June but will launch in theaters as a nonfiction feature told in three chapters. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 27 Aug. 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