fact

[fakt] /fækt/
noun
1.
something that actually exists; reality; truth:
Your fears have no basis in fact.
2.
something known to exist or to have happened:
Space travel is now a fact.
3.
a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true:
Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4.
something said to be true or supposed to have happened:
The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5.
Law.. Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence.
Compare question of fact, question of law.
Idioms
6.
after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime:
an accessory after the fact.
7.
before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime:
an accessory before the fact.
8.
in fact, actually; really; indeed:
In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.
Origin
1530-40; < Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do1
Related forms
factful, adjective
Can be confused
facts, FAQs, fax.
Examples from the web for in fact
  • Novella lets homeless people harvest from the garden--in fact, it makes her feel good.
  • in fact, many commercially produced tobacco plants are resistant to the virus.
  • Worldwide popularity is in fact the sole downside of operating an icon.
  • in fact it rarely shows up in my garden, though the forest beyond my back fence is full of them.
  • in fact, buying supermarket flowers can actually be a brilliant idea.
  • in fact, everything a roast chicken does well, it does best when bigger.
  • in fact, you'll need to clear out a pretty big cupboard to store a water bath canner.
  • in fact, they offer that culinary quirk, as well as more traditional tea fare.
  • in fact the two are distantly related, as both are members of the magnolia family.
  • His work, in fact, is full of seeds which the future brought to fruition.
British Dictionary definitions for in fact

fact

/fækt/
noun
1.
an event or thing known to have happened or existed
2.
a truth verifiable from experience or observation
3.
a piece of information: get me all the facts of this case
4.
(law) (often pl) an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge
5.
(philosophy) a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement
6.
(criminal law) after the fact, after the commission of the offence: an accessory after the fact
7.
(criminal law) before the fact, before the commission of the offence
8.
as a matter of fact, in fact, in point of fact, in reality or actuality
9.
fact of life, an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one
10.
the fact of the matter, the truth
Derived Forms
factful, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make
Word Origin and History for in fact

fact

n.

1530s, "action," especially "evil deed," from Latin factum "event, occurrence," literally "thing done," neuter past participle of facere "to do" (see factitious). Usual modern sense of "thing known to be true" appeared 1630s, from notion of "something that has actually occurred." Facts of life "harsh realities" is from 1854; specific sense of "human sexual functions" first recorded 1913.

Idioms and Phrases with in fact

in fact

Also, in point of fact. In reality, in truth; actually. For example, She was, in fact, eager to join the club, or In point of fact, his parents never had much influence on him. The first term dates from about 1700, and the variant from about 1800.

fact

In addition to the idiom beginning with
fact
also see: