factual

1 of 2

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

factuality

2 of 2

noun

fac·​tu·​al·​i·​ty ˌfakchəˈwalətē 

-ətē, 

-i

variants or less commonly factualness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being fact or factual

the factuality of his report

Synonyms of factual

Adjective

• historical
• documentary
• literal
• true
• nonfictional

Examples of factual in a Sentence

Adjective

That statement is not factual.

a report filled with factual errors

the factual aspects of the case

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The service has launched on the App Store, Google Play and a dedicated website with more than 100 titles across crime, drama, reality, dating, factual entertainment and docs. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 July 2026

Such a tool would help homeowners better understand their assessments, verify the factual accuracy of both their own property data and comparable-property information, and determine when an appeal may be warranted. — Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Martino received millions of dollars in cryptocurrency as proceeds from the conspiracy, according to a factual proffer signed by Martino and US prosecutors. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Getty Images The granting of a UPEPA special motion to strike means that the plaintiff's complaint was without substantial factual or legal support. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

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