matter-of-fact

adjective

mat·​ter-of-fact ˌma-tər-ə(v)-ˈfakt How to pronounce matter-of-fact (audio)
: adhering to the unembellished facts
also : being plain, straightforward, or unemotional
matter-of-factly adverb
matter-of-factness noun

Examples of matter-of-fact in a Sentence

a matter-of-fact recitation of the events of the last week a matter-of-fact woman who didn't worry about "what ifs"
Recent Examples on the Web Easygoing, matter-of-fact, self-sufficient, Kermit is the calm green eye in the hurricane of Miss Piggy's emotions. Brad Darrach, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024 At times while talking, Hosier is matter-of-fact, but then turns emotional. Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 26 May 2024 The film also wants to shatter taboos, shooting bodies in a very matter-of-fact way. Ben Croll, Variety, 18 May 2024 The film doesn’t lay on the melodrama too thick, but accepts the situation as a matter-of-fact, if terrifying, reality. Chris Bellamy and Kyle Fowle, EW.com, 10 May 2024 Asked about his proposal to cut public health spending amid pandemic concerns, Newsom offered a matter-of-fact response. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 10 May 2024 Her voice sounds every bit as cool and matter-of-fact as before. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Recommended Compassion Biden’s food drops in Gaza underscore difficulties with Israel The shift is notable both for residents’ matter-of-fact acceptance of the coming closure and for a lack of consensus on what comes next. Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 The rest of her narrative is recounted in the same frank, matter-of-fact style as her paintings. Adam Nossiter, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matter-of-fact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of matter-of-fact was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near matter-of-fact

Cite this Entry

“Matter-of-fact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matter-of-fact. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

matter-of-fact

adjective
mat·​ter-of-fact
ˌmat-ə-rə(v)-ˈfakt
: sticking to fact
a matter-of-fact account
also : being plain, straightforward, or unemotional
described the accident in a matter-of-fact way
matter-of-factly
-ˈfak-(t)lē
adverb

Legal Definition

matter of fact

see matter

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