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 of fictional

• fictitious
• imaginary
• mythical
• imagined
• fantasied

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

Set in a broken school system pushed to the brink, Teach You A Lesson follows the Teachers’ Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional government agency created to protect victims and restore order when students, teachers, and parents cross the line. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 16 July 2026

The other domino that fell en route to Hiddleston executive producing Pompeii involved his fictional brother in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Grande’s impressions, of both real people and fictional characters, are so good that Celine Dion admitted to peeing herself after seeing the singer imitate her on The Tonight Show. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026

In 1858, Louisa May Alcott’s younger sister, Elizabeth, died from complications of scarlet fever, just as the fictional Beth would in the novel, published a decade later. — Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fictional

• frictional
• jurisdictional