fictional

adjective

fic·​tion·​al ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, characterized by, or occurring in fiction : invented by the imagination

a fictional story/character

fictional dialogue

Over the past 15 years, Noble has created a fantastical, awe-inspiring fictional city called Nobson Newtown, which he renders in painstakingly detailed pencil drawings …

—Steve Rose

There are several surprises about stories. The first is that we spend a great deal of time in fictional worlds, whether in daydreams, novels, confabulations or life narratives. When all is tallied up, the decades we spend in the realm of fantasy outstrip the time we spend in the real world.

—David Eagleman

Besides scholarly writings and cultural criticism, he's turned out a fictional mystery series starring Edgar Allan Poe …

—Edward Lewine

fictionally

ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl-ē 

adverb

… a film that documents the history of space science and fictionally portrays a journey to the moon …

—Lynn Baker et al.

Synonyms

• fictitious
• imaginary
• mythic
• mythical

Examples of fictional in a Sentence

the events in the horror movie seemed so real to some fans that they could not believe that the whole thing was fictional

Recent Examples on the Web

Run every business decision by this fictional person, and make sure your team do it too. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

So he’s come up with a fresh approach that’s reminiscent of it but is different enough and works: the fictional true-crime documentary. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025

In the episode, Noem references the real-life dog shooting in a fictional ICE recruiting video, and caps off every scene by pulling out a gun and killing a different puppy. —Meredith Kile, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

But the documentary crew that filmed inside the fictional paper company’s office is back, and this time with a new subject. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fictional

• frictional
• jurisdictional