fact (f?kt)n.1. Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.2. a. Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.b. A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.c. Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.3. A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.4. Law A conclusion drawn by a judge or jury from the evidence in a case: a finding of fact.Idiom: in (point of) fact In reality or in truth; actually.[Latin factum, deed, from neuter past participle of facere, to do; see dh?- in Indo-European roots.]Usage Note: Since the word fact means “a real occurrence, something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed,” the phrases true facts and real facts, as in The true facts of the case may never be known, would seem to be redundant. But fact has a long history of use in the sense of “an allegation of fact” or “something that is believed to be true,” as in this remark by union leader Albert Shanker: “This tract was distributed to thousands of American teachers, but the facts and the reasoning are wrong.” This usage has led to the notion of “incorrect facts,” which causes qualms among critics who insist that facts must be true. The usages, however, are often helpful in making distinctions or adding emphasis.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.fact (fækt) n1. an event or thing known to have happened or existed2. a truth verifiable from experience or observation3. a piece of information: get me all the facts of this case. 4. (Law) law (often plural) 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 judge5. (Philosophy) philosophy a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement6. (Law) after the fact criminal law after the commission of the offence: an accessory after the fact. 7. (Law) before the fact criminal law before the commission of the offence8. as a matter of fact in fact in point of fact in reality or actuality9. fact of life an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one10. the fact of the matter the truth[C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make] ?factful adjCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014fact (fækt) n. 1. something that actually exists: Your fears have no basis in fact. 2. something known to exist or to have happened. 3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true. 4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened. 5. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Idioms: 1. after the fact, done, made, or formulated after something has occurred. 2. in fact, in truth; really; indeed: They are, in fact, great patriots. [1530?40; A fact is an item of knowledge or information that is true.Be Careful!Don’t talk about ‘true facts’ or say, for example, ‘These facts are true’.You can refer to a whole situation by using a clause beginning with the fact that.Be Careful!You must use that in clauses like these. Don’t say, for example, ‘He tried to hide the fact he was disappointed’.You use in fact to show that you are giving more detailed information about what you have just said.