facts
English meaning: Facts
Definition
Something actual as opposed to invented.
Example
“In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.”
Another example: “Before publishing, journalists must check the facts of every story.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'fact', meaning things known to be true ('the facts of the case', 'get your facts straight'). Everyday and formal; common in journalism, law and argument.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'factum' 'a deed, something done', from 'facere' 'to do'; the 'reality' sense developed in the 16th–17th centuries.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- the facts
- hard facts
- get the facts
- facts and figures
- check the facts
Word Forms
fact (n); facts; factual (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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