matter-of-fact

adjective

mat·​ter-of-fact ˌma-tər-ə(v)-ˈfakt 

: adhering to the unembellished facts

also : being plain, straightforward, or unemotional

matter-of-factly

ˌma-tər-ə(v)-ˈfak(t)-lē 

adverb

matter-of-factness

ˌma-tər-ə(v)-ˈfak(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of matter-of-fact

• factual
• historical
• literal
• documentary
• true
• nonfictional

Examples of matter-of-fact in a Sentence

a matter-of-fact recitation of the events of the last week

a matter-of-fact woman who didn't worry about "what ifs"

Recent Examples on the Web

Transposing the film to the 1930s French countryside, the Nouvelle Vague legend attempted to directly counter the fervent romanticism of classic adaptations of Brontë’s novel by highlighting the matter-of-fact savagery of the characters. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

In one picture, a slim teen-ager reaches over tentatively, tenderly, to peel a bandage off another boy’s bare thigh, a moment both touching and wonderfully matter-of-fact. —Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026

It was cataloged with a brief, matter-of-fact description, and for decades, its importance went entirely overlooked. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026

Potentially a matter-of-fact statement, but the meaning was lost to thousands of viewers looking in live. —Devon Henderson, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for matter-of-fact

• overreact
• abstract
• attacked
• attract
• contact
• contract
• detract
• distract
• enact
• exact
• extract
• hijacked

Kids Definition

matter-of-fact

adjective

mat·​ter-of-fact

ˌmat-ə-rə(v)-ˈfakt

: sticking to fact

a matter-of-fact account

also : being plain, straightforward, or unemotional

described the accident in a matter-of-fact way

matter-of-factly

-ˈfak-(t)lē

adverb

Legal Definition

matter of fact

see also:

matter