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

Only factual errors can be corrected, not subjective decisions. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Data to the decimal, yes, and there may not be enough of it to draw conclusions, but what data points have been established are factual and viable stepping stones to new knowledge. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

The concern centers on large language models, which can rapidly analyze vast amounts of information but also generate convincing answers that have no factual basis. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Fewer memorable metaphors, stories, lists, slogans and rhetorical devices; more literal, factual, technical or bureaucratic communication. — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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