fact

[ fakt ]

/ fækt /

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See synonyms for: fact / facts on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.

something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.

a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.

something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.

Law.Often facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence.Compare question of fact, question of law.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about fact

after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime: an accessory after the fact.

before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime: an accessory before the fact.

in fact, actually; really; indeed: In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.

Origin of fact

1530–40; <Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do¹

OTHER WORDS FROM fact

factful, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fact

facts , FAQs, fax

Words nearby fact

facsim., facsimile, facsimile catalog, facsimile machine, facsimile transmission, fact, fact-check, fact finder, fact-finding, factice, facticity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fact in a sentence

They’re likely banking on the fact that voters don’t remember or care that Republicans waited months to start negotiating.
Why House Democrats have good reason to be anxious about no coronavirus relief deal|Amber Phillips|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Achieving herd immunity is, in fact, one goal in this pandemic.
The problem with Trump’s ‘herd mentality’ line isn’t the verbal flub. It’s the mass death.|Philip Bump|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Red Ventures has made four acquisitions this year, not three.
‘Helping people discover information’: How Red Ventures grew into a giant|Max Willens|September 16, 2020|Digiday
Many publishers have struggled with the fact that virtual event sponsorships fetch smaller amounts of money than in-person ones.
‘Eager to explore more’: Business Insider’s virtual events strategy lifts volume and plants evergreen on-demand feature|Max Willens|September 16, 2020|Digiday

“The fact is, we created the greatest economy in the history of the world.”
Trump’s ABC News town hall: Four Pinocchios, over and over again|Glenn Kessler|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
He loves the fact that, like on Grindr, users can identify as transgender.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, in a recent study of their users internationally, it was the lowest priority for most.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Despite the strong language, however, the neither the JPO nor Lockheed could dispute a single fact in either Daily Beast report.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Many British Ferns evidence a marked tendency to “sport,” and this is a fact which the beginner should always bear in mind.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
In fact, except for Ramona's help, it would have been a question whether even Alessandro could have made Baba work in harness.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
Recognition of the pneumococcus depends upon its morphology, the fact that it is Gram-staining, and the presence of a capsule.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The fact that the day following the punishment parade was a Sunday brought about a certain relaxation from discipline.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
I claim that it contains many errors of fact, and the Higher Criticism supports the claim; as we shall see.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for fact

fact

/ (fækt) /

noun

an event or thing known to have happened or existed

a truth verifiable from experience or observation

a piece of informationget me all the facts of this case

law (often plural) an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge

philosophy a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement

after the fact criminal law after the commission of the offencean accessory after the fact

before the fact criminal law before the commission of the offence

as a matter of fact, in fact or in point of fact in reality or actuality

fact of life an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one

the fact of the matter the truth

Derived forms of fact

factful, adjective

Word Origin for fact

C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with fact

fact

In addition to the idiom beginning with fact

facts of life

also see:

after the fact
in fact
is that a fact
matter of fact

fact

Idioms about fact

Origin of fact

OTHER WORDS FROM fact

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fact

Words nearby fact

Words related to fact

How to use fact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for fact

Derived forms of fact

Word Origin for fact

Other Idioms and Phrases with fact