nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˌnän-ˈfik-shən 

: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events

He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.

nonfictional

ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

He reads a lot of nonfiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The prestigious literary award honors books across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry and translation, as well as literary achievement and service. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025

How does your nonfiction practice differ from your fiction? —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025

Today, an internet connection opens up a world of free and affordable learning—from YouTube channels dedicated to sharing expert knowledge to podcasts and digital libraries packed with nonfiction titles ready to download to a Kindle or other e-reader. —David Nikel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

For his part, Krakauer, who also penned the popular nonfiction books Into the Wild and Under the Banner of Heaven, is not a fan of Everest. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonfiction

• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• prediction
• restriction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction

Kids Definition

nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˈnän-ˈfik-shən 

: literature or cinema that is not fictional

nonfictional

(ˈ)nän-ˈfik-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective