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

The docuseries is inspired by and draws from the 2008 nonfiction book, The Lizard King, by Bryan Christy (oddly, not about The Doors frontman, Jim Morrison). — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Little Soldiers also marks the first nonfiction title from SJP Lit, an imprint of Zando Publishing founded in 2022. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

For the week ending August 2, 2026 Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for nonfiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

The 2025 film about him, The Last Class, ranks as one of the top-grossing nonfiction films of last year, earning more than $1 million at the box office. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Aug. 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