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

• 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

The new world order is truth to truth, answer to query, whereby factual snippets are revered and rewarded. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025

Writers who draw on personal stories are often dogged by nonfiction’s prevailing imperative of factual precision. —Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025

Legal complications now surround the production, with a substantial defamation claim challenging the show’s factual representations. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2025

His approach to the book project was to marry the factual fidelity required of an official battalion history with a novelistic evocation of life on the front. —Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 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