Etimology
From Old French fact, from Latin factum (“an act, deed, feat, etc.”); also Medieval Latin for “state, condition, circumstance”; neuter of factus (“done or made”), perfect passive participle of faciō (“do, make”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put, place, set”). Old/Middle French later evolved it into faict and fait. Doublet of feat.
noun
fact (countable and uncountable, plural facts)
Something actual as opposed to invented.
Something which is real.
Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.
Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
(databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.
(archaic) Action; the realm of action.
(law, obsolete except in set phrases) A wrongful or criminal deed.
(obsolete) A feat or meritorious deed.
Examples
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
Mother […] considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres.
Gravity is a fact, not a theory.
Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.
There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.
The facts about space travel.
Addition facts include 2 + 2 = 4 and 3 + 4 = 7.
After that Richard, the third of that name, king in fact only, but tyrant both in title and regiment […] was […] overthrown and slain at Bosworth Field; there succeeded in the kingdom […] Henry the Seventh.
She was empassiond at that piteous act, / With zelous enuy of Greekes cruell fact, / Against that nation [...].
His friends still wrought Repreeves for him: And indeed his fact till now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtfull proofe.
Gentlemen of the Jury, I think I need say but little on this matter: They all confess the fact of which they stand indicted. Some of them were old offenders, and all of them were proved to be at the taking of capt. Manwareing's sloop, and all took their shares: so that I think the fact is very fully and clearly proved upon them.
He had become an accessory after the fact.
UUho when he ſhal embrace you in his armsUUil tell how many thouſand men he ſlew.And when you looke for amorous diſcourſe,Will rattle foorth his facts of war and blood:Too harſh a ſubiect for your daintie eares.
When he who most excels in fact of arms,
Related words
antonyms
(antonym(s) of "Something actual"): fiction
(antonym(s) of "Something objective"): opinion
related terms
faction
factor
factorial
factory
factotum
fashion
interjection
fact
Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.