fact

Pronunciation: /fakt/

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Definition of fact

noun

a thing that is known or proved to be true:the most commonly known fact about hedgehogs is that they have fleas [mass noun]:a body of fact
(facts) information used as evidence or as part of a report or news article: even the most inventive journalism peters out without facts, and in this case there were no facts
(the fact that) used to refer to a particular situation under discussion:despite the fact that I’m so tired, sleep is elusive
[mass noun] chiefly Law the truth about events as opposed to interpretation:there was a question of fact as to whether they had received the letter

Phrases

before (or after) the fact: before (or after) the committing of a crime:an accessory before the fact
facts and figures: precise details: he presents the facts and figures of his case openly and honestly
a fact of life: something that must be accepted and cannot be changed, however unpalatable:baldness is a fact of life for a lot of men
the facts of life: information about sexual functions and practices, especially as given to children.
the fact of the matter: the truth: the fact of the matter is that few such cases reach the magistrates' courts
in (point of) fact: used to emphasize the truth of an assertion, especially one opposite to what might be expected or what has been asserted:the brook trout is in fact a char

Origin:

late 15th century: from Latin factum, neuter past participle of facere 'do'. The original sense was 'an act', later 'a crime', surviving in the phrase before (or after) the fact. The earliest of the current senses ( 'truth, reality') dates from the late 16th century

fact in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of fact in the US English dictionary

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Other

fact

noun

Phrases

before (or after) the fact

facts and figures

a fact of life

the facts of life

the fact of the matter

in (point of) fact

Origin:

fact in other Oxford dictionaries

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