fan fiction

noun

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of fan fiction

: stories involving popular fictional characters that are written by fans and often posted on the Internet — called also fanfic\-ˈfik\

Recent Examples of fan fiction from the Web

Ever since James Cameron revolutionized the film industry fetish fan fiction websites with Avatar in 2010, 3D has become all-but standard for most wide-release movies.

— tom philip, GQ, "3D Movies Might Be Dead Already," 6 Apr. 2018
The popular fan fiction novel, based on the Twilight series, was no match for the controversial details of the mission that led to the demise of the man held most accountable for the September 11th attacks in New York City.

— manouska jeantus, Woman's Day, "No Easy Day Bumps Fifty Shades of Grey From Best-sellers List," 18 Sep. 2012
The best example of the ability to embody a fictionalized world on the internet is probably fan fiction.

— emma grey ellis, WIRED, "Witches, Frog-Gods, and the Deepening Schism of Internet Religions," 3 Apr. 2018
Underrepresented voices thrive in this arena; 2017 reader favorites included LGBTQ characters, genre mashups (werewolf mystery!), and fan fiction.

— caitlin harrington, WIRED, "It's Getting Easier for Teens to Achieve Early Stardom," 27 Mar. 2018
People published fan fiction about the characters online.

— alexandra alter, New York Times, "‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Goes From Stage to Page," 19 Mar. 2018
Their relationship became the subject of countless GIFs, fan fiction, and YouTube compilations years later.

— megan friedman, Marie Claire, "Xena Will Be Openly Gay in NBC's 'Warrior Princess' Reboot," 15 Mar. 2016
But there’s nothing the internet loves more than love, whether it’s fan fiction or the real deal.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Married Figure Skaters Alexa Scimeca and Chris Knierim Take Valentine's Day to the Limit," 14 Feb. 2018
While the pair denies any romantic involvement, the melting ice tells a different story — one that lends itself to some erotic fan fiction.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "Are You Emotionally Prepared for This Episode of Queer Eye?," 23 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fan fiction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fan fiction

1944

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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fan fiction

Definition of fan fiction

Recent Examples of fan fiction from the Web

First Known Use of fan fiction

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Definition of fan fiction

Recent Examples of fan fiction from the Web

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