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 nonfiction feature examines the experience of Fatsah Bouyahmed, a French Algerian actor who suffered memory loss after an accident. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

For one of the men in particular, the type of hustling, defiant gay life that John Rechy describes in his nonfiction book The Sexual Outlaw is pivotal. — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

The online listing includes several books by Barack Obama, a memoir by former first lady Michelle Obama and both fiction and nonfiction offerings from other authors, according to screenshots on social media. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Contributors to El Alboroto’s first edition include writers from Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico who work across fiction, nonfiction and poetry. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 14 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