fiction

noun

fic·​tion ˈfik-shən 

1

a

: something invented by the imagination or feigned

specifically : an invented story

… I'd found out that the story of the ailing son was pure fiction.

—Andrew A. Rooney

b

: fictitious literature (such as novels or short stories)

was renowned as a writer of fiction

c

: a work of fiction

especially : novel

Her latest work is a fiction set during the Civil War.

2

a

: an assumption of a possibility as a fact irrespective of the question of its truth

a legal fiction

b

: a useful illusion or pretense

It was only a fiction of independence his mother gave him; he was almost totally under her power …

—G. A. Wagner

3

: the action of feigning or of creating with the imagination

She engaged in fiction to escape painful realities.

fictionality

ˌfik-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of fiction

• fantasy
• tale
• story
• novel
• fabrication
• fable
• invention
• figment

Examples of fiction in a Sentence

She believes the fiction that crime rates are up.

most stories about famous outlaws of the Old West are fictions that have little or nothing to do with fact

Recent Examples on the Web

This is Painter’s first win after several previous nominations in both the YA fiction and adult romance categories. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Here are Scientific American’s picks for the best new fiction of 2025. —Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025

The Booker Prize–winning McEwan began his career writing Gothic tales, matured into creating twisty literary mysteries, and later dabbled in political fiction and sci-fi. —The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025

In China, stores turned sales receipts into serialized fiction, printing 20 chapters of a compelling narrative featuring its mascot, Snow King, and sparking a nationwide craze. —Theodora Yu, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ficcioun "invention of the mind," borrowed from Middle French fiction, borrowed from Latin fictiōn-, fictiō "action of shaping or molding, feigning, pretense, legal fiction," from fig-, variant stem of fingere "to mold, fashion, make a likeness of, pretend to be" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at feign

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fiction

• fact from fiction
• fan fiction
• science fiction
• slash fiction

Rhymes for fiction

• diction
• friction
• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• nonfiction
• prediction
• restriction

Kids Definition

fiction

noun

fic·​tion ˈfik-shən 

1

: something told or written that is not fact

2

: a made-up story

fictional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

fictionally

-shnə-lē 

-shən-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

fiction

noun

fic·​tion

: legal fiction

fictional adjective