nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˌnän-ˈfik-shən 

: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events

He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.

nonfictional

ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

He reads a lot of nonfiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Co-written with Wall Street Journal bestselling author Christopher Greyson, the book marks an expansion of the publishing ambitions of Fox News Books — the nonfiction catalog of which has already sold more than three million copies to date. —Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Slovak edits a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including memoir, cultural history, science, and natural history. —Paul Slovak september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025

The superb first nonfiction feature from Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel focuses on the killing of an Indigenous community leader by white landowners in northwest Argentina. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025

Mosley is the acclaimed actor of several novels beyond the Easy Rawlins series, including science fiction, nonfiction and children’s books. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonfiction

• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• prediction
• restriction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction

Kids Definition

nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˈnän-ˈfik-shən 

: literature or cinema that is not fictional

nonfictional

(ˈ)nän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective