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

Sundance Institute’s documentary film program supports nonfiction storytellers at all stages of their projects and careers via financial, creative and strategic assistance. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Rob, Ajon and I were interested in pushing the concept of the biopic to its furthest reaches, closer to creative narrative nonfiction, like the great works of David Foster Wallace. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Portia Woodman joins a nonfiction portfolio at Seven Bucks that includes Stuntman, named Best Documentary Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival; Behind the Attraction (Disney+); Finding Justice (BET); Who Killed WCW? — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Between his novels and his two works of nonfiction, Green has more than 60 million copies of his books in print. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 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