fact meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

fact

noun

/fækt/

Etymology 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.

9 senses

1Something actual as opposed to invented.
2Something which is real.
3Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
4An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has…
5Information about a particular subject, especially…
6An individual value or measurement at the lowest level…
7Action; the realm of action.
8A wrongful or criminal deed.
9A feat or meritorious deed.

Something actual as opposed to invented.

establish the facts
hard facts

4 more examples

facts and figures
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
The report is based on verified facts.
Let’s stick to the facts, not opinions.

Something which is real.

Gravity is a fact, not a theory.

Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.

Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.

An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.

There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.

Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.

The facts about space travel.
Addition facts include 2 + 2 = 4 and 3 + 4 = 7.

Computing, Databases, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.

Archaic Action; the realm of action.

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.1622, Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh, page 1:

Law A wrongful or criminal deed.

Obsolete except in set phrases

He had become an accessory after the fact.
She was empassiond at that piteous act, / With zelous enuy of Greekes cruell fact, / Against that nation [...].1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

2 more examples

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.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 76, column 2:
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.1819, T. Howell, A Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and Other Crimes and Misdemeanors:

Obsolete A feat or meritorious deed.

UUho when he ſhal embrace you in his arms UUil 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.c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act III, scene ii:
When he who most excels in fact of arms,1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost:

Antonyms: antonym(s) of, opinion
Derived terms: 97 terms
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Related terms: faction, factor, factorial, factory, factotum, fashion, value, belief

fact

intj

Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.