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

With clothes leaning matter-of-fact and pragmatic this season, there was a lot of room for eclectic accessories. —Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026

Sitting on a folding chair at the Mo Ostin Basketball Center after a shootaround in Los Angeles, Donovan recited this onslaught of tragedy and turmoil in a matter-of-fact tone. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Not having to bear that burden, I was transported by Bentley and his co-writer Greg Kwedar to a Pacific Northwest of quiet beauty and matter-of-fact treachery. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Midsize sounds so neutral, so matter-of-fact‚ and that’s exactly the vibe of the movement the term inspired, which also encompasses style experimentation and inspiration. —Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 20 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