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

Having spent most of her career focusing on the basics of a nonfiction story — who, what, where, when and why — Hamilton now is more interested in creative writing and mental health awareness. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

The authors represent several genres, including mystery, romance, young adult, children’s picture books, graphic novels and nonfiction. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

In doing so, Black pioneered a new genre of narrative prehistorical nonfiction. —Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026

Waleed Zuaiter will play Saddam Hussein in High Value Target, the series adaptation of John Nixon’s nonfiction book Debriefing the President. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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