: of, relating to, or being science fiction
a sci-fi film
sci-fi noun

Examples of sci-fi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The first two entries in Denis Villeneuve‘s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic threaded an increasingly rare needle between critical acclaim and box office success. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026 Luckily for sci-fi writers, there's rarely any need to worry about backing up their ideas with facts. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026 None of the sci-fi references demanded by the Dune-verse or the high art of fashion week. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2026 Other Polish films in the mix include Agnieszka Smoczyńska’s sci-fi thriller Hot Spot with Noomi Rapace as well as Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert’s The Idiots. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sci-fi

Word History

Etymology

shortened from science fiction

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sci-fi was in 1953

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sci-fi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sci-fi. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

sci-fi

noun
ˈsī-ˈfī
sci-fi adjective

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