nonfiction

noun non·fic·tion \ ˌnän-ˈfik-shən \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: nonfiction in a Sentence

Definition of nonfiction

: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events

He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.

—

nonfictional

play \ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See nonfiction defined for English-language learners

See nonfiction defined for kids

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

He reads a lot of nonfiction.

Recent Examples of nonfiction from the Web

In our book group, the presenters always spend a few minutes discussing the authors, and V.S. Naipaul, a British writer of Indian descent, is an interesting international figure and writer of both fiction and nonfiction.

— sara clarkson, chicagotribune.com, "Clarkson: Summer reading list varies from serious to scenic to suspenseful," 7 June 2018
Here is his 2018 list of nearly 40 fiction and nonfiction books with some titles that can appeal to just about everybody.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "Your 2018 summer reading list — from an unusual group of recommenders," 1 June 2018
So rather than turn to another studio to adapt his nonfiction book Born a Crime for film, the Daily Show host now will do so at Paramount.

— bryn elise sandberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "TV’s Arms Race for Talent Is Blowing Up Traditional Studio Deals," 24 May 2018
Inspired by that nonfiction book, Hartman’s play attempts to shed light as much on the letter-writers and the recipient of the mail as on the man who left that briefcase undisturbed for so long.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "At Everyman Theatre, 'Book of Joseph' provides intriguing drama of family secrets, regrets," 18 May 2018
But another, less politically fraught reason is that blurring fiction and nonfiction well can push the audience in ways that one or the other might not accomplish alone.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "Movies are blurring fact and fiction on purpose. What does that do to the audience?," 30 May 2018
There’s no signposting for fiction or nonfiction online.

— virginia heffernan, WIRED, "The Truth-Affirming Powers of a Good, Old-Fashioned Netflix Binge," 23 May 2018
The sale features a large selection of hardback fiction and nonfiction, as well as children’s books and paperbacks.

— Houston Chronicle, "Katy-area calendar of events," 21 May 2018
Cookbooks, gardening books, trades, fictIon and nonfiction as well as children's books are featured.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonfiction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nonfiction

1867

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

NONFICTION Defined for English Language Learners

nonfiction

noun

Definition of nonfiction for English Language Learners

: writing that is about facts or real events : all writing that is not fiction

NONFICTION Defined for Kids

nonfiction

noun non·fic·tion \ ˈnän-ˈfik-shən \

Definition of nonfiction for Students

: writing that is about facts or real events

Learn More about nonfiction

See words that rhyme with nonfiction Spanish Central: Translation of nonfiction Nglish: Translation of nonfiction for Spanish speakers

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nonfiction

Definition of nonfiction

nonfictional

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

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NONFICTION Defined for English Language Learners

nonfiction

Definition of nonfiction for English Language Learners

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Definition of nonfiction for Students

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