- fact*/*/*/
- [fækt]noun1) [C] a piece of true informationThe classes are designed to help children discover basic scientific facts.[/ex]The fact is, he lost because he didn't try very hard.[/ex]He has never hidden the fact that he doesn't like me.[/ex]The fact remains that (= it is still true that) women are paid less than men.[/ex]I know for a fact that he was lying.[/ex]2) [U] things that are true or that really happened, rather than things that are imaginary or not trueThe story is based on historical fact.[/ex]Children soon learn the difference between fact and fiction.[/ex]•the facts of life — the facts about sex and how babies are made[/ex]in (actual) fact — 1) used for saying what is really true, when this is surprising or different from what people think[/ex]He was paid money for a job that did not in fact exist.[/ex]In actual fact, she was quite right.[/ex]
— 2) used when you are adding something to what you have just said, especially something surprising
She's a friend of mine, a very close friend in fact.[/ex]See:matter I
Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.