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

In January, the bank asked the judge to throw out Arbuckle’s claims, arguing that evidence exchanged by both sides showed no key factual disputes requiring a jury to resolve. — Chase Jordan july 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Comcast is likely to dispute the negligence claim and may dispute at least some of the factual allegations. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026

Unsurprisingly, the majority (around two thirds) of third-party spend went on drama but there were increases in lower-budget genres like factual and children’s. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 July 2026

In high-stakes regulated environments, one bad output like an off-brand message, a compliance misstep or a factual error can do real and lasting damage. — Mark Emond, Forbes.com, 27 July 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