non-fiction
0 synonyms and 2 antonyms for non-fiction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Writing about real people, events and facts rather than invented ones, covering history, biography, science, memoir, journalism and reference.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Writing about real people, events and facts rather than invented ones, covering history, biography, science, memoir, journalism and reference.
“She reads almost nothing but non-fiction.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Of or being writing about real events and facts.
“He has written three non-fiction books about the Arctic.”
Opposites
How to use non-fiction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral. Standard in bookselling, libraries and publishing.
Etymology
Formed from the prefix non-, meaning "not", plus fiction, from Latin fingere "to shape or invent".
Full origin of non-fiction →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
Fiction is invented: the people and events come from the author's imagination, even if a real setting is used. Non-fiction presents itself as an account of what actually happened or is actually the case, and the author is accountable for its accuracy.
Is it nonfiction or non-fiction?
Both are correct. American publishing and dictionaries generally close it up as nonfiction, while British usage keeps the hyphen as non-fiction. Pick one and stay consistent within a document.
Is a memoir non-fiction if the author misremembers?
Yes. Memoir is classed as non-fiction because it is offered as a truthful account, and the genre allows for the limits of memory and for reconstructed dialogue. Deliberately inventing events, however, breaks that contract, as several publishing scandals have shown.