factnoun [ C or U ]
uk/fækt/us/fækt/A2 something that is known to have happened or to exist, especially something for which proof exists, or about which there is information:
No decision will be made until we know all the facts.
I don't know all the facts about the case.
I'm not angry that you took my car - it's just the fact that you didn't ask me first.
He knew for a fact that Natalie was lying.
It's sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction.
as a matter of fact B1 also in (actual) fact
used to add emphasis to what you are saying, or to show that it is the opposite of or different from what went before:
I don't work. In fact, I've never had a job.
"Have you always lived here?" "As a matter of fact (= the truth is) I've only lived here for the last three years."
a fact of life
something unpleasant that cannot be avoided:
Going bald is just a fact of life.
facts and figures
exact detailed information:
We are getting some facts and figures together and we will then have a full board meeting.
the facts of life
details about sexual activity and the way that babies are born
More examples
- The fact that Debbie is always late has become a joke among her friends.
- Two opposed interpretations of the facts have been presented.
- I'm not calling you a liar - I'm just suggesting that you misunderstood the facts of the situation.
- He said that he wasn't completely sure of his facts.
- I think there is one key fact that you have overlooked.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Reality and truth
- a slice of life idiom
- actuality
- apothegm
- authenticity
- genuine
- home truth
- immediacy
- McCoy
- practice
- real life
- slice
- the genuine article idiom
- the real McCoy
- the real thing 1
- the real world 2
- truism
- truth will out idiom
- veracity
- verisimilitude
- verity
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
True, real, false, and unreal