factual

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə-wəl 

-chəl,

-chü-əl,

ˈfaksh-wəl

1

: of or relating to facts

a factual error

the factual aspects of the case

2

: restricted to or based on fact

a factual statement

She tried to separate what is factual from what is not.

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

factually

ˈfak-chə-wə-lē 

-chə-lē

-chü(-ə)-lē

ˈfaksh-wə-

adverb

factualness noun

Synonyms

• documentary
• hard
• historical
• literal
• matter-of-fact
• nonfictional
• objective
• true

Examples of factual in a Sentence

That statement is not factual.

a report filled with factual errors

the factual aspects of the case

Recent Examples on the Web

Once on the record, Dickinson recounted the sidebar with the attorneys, making factual claims that Beles says were flat-out false. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Provide clear, factual updates on any potential policy impacts. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

It was found that the chatbots, overall, produced some accurate and well-sourced answers, especially to fairly basic questions with simple factual answers. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

And last week, Baca filed a motion request a finding of factual innocence, a move that could ease the path to financial compensation for the decades Duran spent behind bars. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

fact + -ual (in actual)

First Known Use

circa 1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

factual

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə(-wə)l 

ˈfaksh-wəl

1

: of or relating to facts

a factual error

2

: restricted to or based on fact

a factual statement

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

noun

factually

ˈfak-chə(-wə)-lē 

ˈfaksh-wə-lē

adverb

factualness noun

Legal Definition

factual

adjective

fac·​tu·​al ˈfak-chə-wəl 

1

: of or relating to facts

factual issues

2

: restricted to or based on fact

factuality

ˌfak-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

noun

factually adverb

factualness noun