nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˌnän-ˈfik-shən How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events
He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.
nonfictional
ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Example Sentences

He reads a lot of nonfiction.
Recent Examples on the Web Becca Rothfeld is the nonfiction book critic for The Washington Post. Flawless Lessons in Looks and Culture From the K-Beauty Capital By Elise Hu Dutton. Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 From other novels that detail the lives of wealthy families and the struggles over inheritance to nonfiction looks at the state of American media today, these 17 books are perfect to dive into in a post-Succession world. townandcountrymag.com, 30 May 2023 The Critics Choice Association on Monday unveiled its full list of nominees for the fifth annual awards, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2023 The slate of nonfiction films from 72 countries will be spread across 13 programs and will feature 70 world and 33 international premieres. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 27 Apr. 2023 This nonfiction film, which won the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for documentaries at this year's Sundance Film Festival, tells of the relationship between a TV journalist diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the actress/former Minister of Culture who's now his caretaker. Craig D. Lindsey, Chron, 25 Apr. 2023 Women in science are trending in fiction as well as nonfiction. Heller Mcalpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2023 Among the nonfiction writers interviewed were such prominent journalists and essayists as Pete Hamill and Maureen Dowd. Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2023 For the writer of nonfiction, reading Janet Malcolm has a similar effect. Sam Adler-bell, The New Republic, 20 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonfiction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonfiction was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near nonfiction

Cite this Entry

“Nonfiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonfiction. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

nonfiction

noun
non·​fic·​tion ˈnän-ˈfik-shən How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
: literature or cinema that is not fictional
nonfictional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on nonfiction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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