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 book became an instant success and won the Yury Shevelyov Prize for nonfiction from PEN Ukraine in 2025. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Why would a hyperlocal life-drawing community in Seattle be interested in a nonfiction book about the shifting aspirations of young people in India’s small towns? — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026

On the main floor is a room dedicated to books for both young adult and adult readers, including genres like nonfiction, fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and more. — Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Headway condenses nonfiction and fiction books into 15-minute summaries that make key ideas easier to fit into your schedule. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 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