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

Opponents argue these disclosures are not mere factual reporting requirements but compelled ideological speech. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

And in fact, some argue the very nature of the technology randomly selecting a plausible next word doesn't really lend itself very easily to being factual. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

The judge noted factual discrepancies between the official narrative about those law enforcement responses and what body camera footage showed. —Claudia Lauer, Fortune, 26 Nov. 2025

That’s mostly because a situation uploaded to social media has been followed up with very little clear, factual information. —Essence, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for factual

• tactual
• artifactual
• counterfactual
• contractual

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