Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genre of fiction: "science fiction" is a literary and cinematic genre that explores imaginative concepts often based on scientific principles, future settings, advanced technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and the potential impact of science and technology on society and individuals.
   • Speculative fiction: It is a form of speculative fiction that typically deals with possibilities and consequences of scientific and other innovations.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Isaac Asimov is a famous author of science fiction.
  • The movie is a classic piece of science fiction from the 1960s.
  • She enjoys reading science fiction more than any other genre.

Advanced Usage

• "Hard science fiction": A subgenre that emphasizes scientific accuracy and technical detail.
  • The novel is considered hard science fiction because of its plausible physics.
• "Soft science fiction": A subgenre that focuses on social sciences like psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
  • The story is soft science fiction, exploring the societal impact of a new technology.

Variants and Related Words

• Sci-fi (n, informal): A common abbreviation for "science fiction".
  • He's a huge fan of sci-fi movies.
• Science-fictional (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of science fiction.
  • The setting has a science-fictional quality.

Synonyms

• Speculative fiction: A broader category that includes science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
• SF: An initialism for science fiction.

Related Phrases

• Science fiction writer/author: A person who writes science fiction.
  • She is an award-winning science fiction writer.
• Science fiction film: A movie belonging to the science fiction genre.
  • The festival will showcase classic science fiction films.

Related Idioms

(Note: "Science fiction" itself is not typically used in idioms. However, concepts from it are.) - It's like something out of science fiction: Used to describe something that seems incredibly advanced, futuristic, or implausible. - This new gadget is like something out of science fiction.

Noun

1. literary fantasy involving the imagined impact of science on society