Definition

1. Noun:
   • A concept whose truth can be proven: A piece of information or a statement that is known to be true and can be verified by evidence or observation.
   • An event known to have happened or something known to have existed: Something that is real and has occurred or exists, as opposed to something imagined or invented.
   • A statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened: A specific detail or piece of data that is confirmed and used to support an argument or describe reality.
   • A piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred: An individual component of knowledge about a situation or occurrence.

Usage Examples

• As a concept or verified statement:
  • It is a fact that water boils at 100°C at sea level.
  • The lawyer presented the facts of the case to the jury.
• Referring to reality or existence:
  • The fact of his resignation surprised everyone.
  • We must distinguish between fact and opinion.
• In common phrases:
  • In fact, I saw her just yesterday. (used to emphasize truth)
  • The fact is, we cannot proceed without more funding. (used to introduce a truthful statement)

Advanced Usage

• "The fact that...": A clause used to introduce a true statement as a subject or object in a sentence.
  • The fact that she arrived early impressed her boss.
• "Matter of fact" / "As a matter of fact": Used to state something that is true, often to correct a misconception or add emphasis.
  • He wasn't angry; as a matter of fact, he was quite pleased.
• "In point of fact": A formal way to say "in fact" or "actually".
  • In point of fact, the treaty was signed a week later.

Variants and Related Words

• Factual (adj): Based on or concerned with facts.
  • She gave a factual account of the incident.
• Factoid (n): A brief or trivial item of news or information; sometimes used to mean an assumption or speculation reported as a fact.
  • The article was filled with interesting factoids.
• Fact-finding (adj/n): Having the purpose of discovering facts.
  • The committee embarked on a fact-finding mission.

Synonyms

• Truth: That which is true or in accordance with fact.
• Reality: The state of things as they actually exist.
• Certainty: Something that is definitively known to be true.
• Data: Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis.

Related Phrases

• "Hard facts": Indisputable facts or concrete evidence.
  • The decision must be based on hard facts, not emotions.
• "Facts of life": The realities of human existence, often referring to information about sex and reproduction.
  • Parents often find it difficult to explain the facts of life to their children.
• "Get your facts straight": An instruction to ensure one's information is accurate.
  • Before you accuse anyone, you should get your facts straight.

Idioms

• "After the fact": Occurring after an event, especially with reference to law.
  • The new rule was applied after the fact, which seemed unfair.
• "Is that a fact?": A rhetorical question expressing skepticism or surprise about a statement.
  • "He claims he can speak ten languages." "Is that a fact?"

Noun

1. a concept whose truth can be proved
   • scientific hypotheses are not facts
2. an event known to have happened or something known to have existed
   • your fears have no basis in fact
   • how much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell
3. a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened
   • he supported his argument with an impressive array of facts
4. a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
   • first you must collect all the facts of the case