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

Wallstedt answered calmly in his matter-of-fact English. —John Shipley, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026

Jason Lloyd Ingram struggles mightily Brandon Ingram was matter-of-fact after the Raptors lost Game 1. —Ngwa Numfor, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026

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

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