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

Maris Kreizman recommends 14 nonfiction titles to look forward to in the remainder of 2026. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Annie Dillard, the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Holy the Firm, An American Childhood, and many other major works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and theory, died at the age of 81 on September 15 at her home in Massachusetts. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

British historian Dan Jones is the author of The New York Times nonfiction best sellers The Plantagenets and Powers and Thrones. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026

Young People’s Literature This year’s longlist includes fiction, nonfiction, novels in verse, and one picture book. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2026

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