fact

noun

ˈfakt 

1

a

: something that has actual existence

space exploration is now a fact

b

: an actual occurrence

prove the fact of damage

2

: a piece of information presented as having objective reality

These are the hard facts of the case.

3

: the quality of being actual : actuality

a question of fact hinges on evidence

4

: a thing done: such as

a

: crime

accessory after the fact

b

archaic : action

c

obsolete : feat

5

archaic : performance, doing

Phrases

in fact

: in truth

He looks younger, but in fact, he is 60 years old.

Synonyms

• reality
• truth

Examples of fact in a Sentence

Rapid electronic communication is now a fact.

The book is filled with interesting facts and figures.

He did it, and that's a fact.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kamut 10 grams per cup cooked Like farro, kamut is a type of wheat; in fact, the term kamut is the ancient Egyptian word for it. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 15 July 2025

In fact, as more of us spend more and more time looking at screens rather than at each other, loneliness is one of the greatest and most underestimated health challenges of our time. —Sylvana Quader Sinha, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

In fact, the top three attractions here, according to Tripadvisor, are the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (No. 1), Kinkakuji Temple (No. 2), and Kiyomizu-dera Temple (No. 3), proving just how important mindful places are to this destination. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025

But in fact, the judgments are not straightforward. —Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin factum "deed, action, real event," noun derivative from neuter of factus, past participle of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do," going back to a suffixed form *d^hh₁-k-i̯e- (with perfect fēcī from *d^heh₁-k-) of Indo-European *d^hh₁-, d^heh₁- "put, place, make, do" — more at do entry 1

Note: The extension *-k- has been compared with the Greek extended aorist éthēka "I placed" (corresponding to present títhēmi "I set, put, placed"), apparently parallel to Latin jaciō, jacere "to throw" and Greek hêka "I threw" (see jet entry 3); though the identity of the two formatives has been disputed.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing fact

• accept the fact that
• after-the-fact
• as a matter of fact
• face the fact(s)
• fact-check
• fact finder
• fact from fiction
• fact of life
• in actual fact
• in point of fact
• is that a fact?
• know for a fact
• matter-of-fact
• the fact is/remains
• the fact of the matter is
• was resigned to the fact

Rhymes for fact

• act
• backed
• blacked
• bract
• cracked
• hacked
• jacked
• lacked
• packed
• pact
• racked
• sacked

Kids Definition

fact

noun

ˈfakt 

1

a

: a thing done

b

: crime sense 1

accessory after the fact

2

: the quality of being actual

3

: something that actually exists or occurs

space travel is now a fact

prove the fact of damage

4

: a piece of information about something presented as true and accurate

a book filled with facts

Legal Definition

fact

noun

1

: something that has actual existence : a matter of objective reality

2

: any of the circumstances of a case that exist or are alleged to exist in reality : a thing whose actual occurrence or existence is to be determined by the evidence presented at trial see also finding of fact at finding, judicial notice, question of fact at question, trier of fact compare law, opinion

— adjudicative fact

: a fact particularly related to the parties to an especially administrative proceeding compare legislative fact in this entry

— collateral fact

: a fact that has no direct relation to or immediate bearing on the case or matter in question compare material fact in this entry

— constitutional fact

: a fact that relates to the determination of a constitutional issue (as violation of a constitutional right) —used especially of administrative findings of fact

— evidentiary fact

: a fact that is part of the situation from which a case arises and that is established by testimony or other evidence

called also mediate fact, predicate fact

compare ultimate fact in this entry

— legislative fact

: a fact of general social, economic, or scientific relevance that does not change from case to case compare adjudicative fact in this entry

— material fact

: a fact that affects decision making: as

a : a fact upon which the outcome of all or part of a lawsuit depends

b : a fact that would influence a reasonable person under the circumstances in making an investment decision (as in purchasing a security or voting for a corporate officer or action)

— mediate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— predicate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— ultimate fact \ ˈəl-​ti-​mət-​ \

: a conclusion of law or especially mixed fact and law that is necessary to the determination of issues in a case and that is established by evidentiary facts compare evidentiary fact in this entry

Etymology

Latin factum deed, real happening, something done, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere to do, make