adj
Uncommon
factual
FAK-shuhl
Factual (adj) means Based on facts rather than opinion or invention. Example: “The report gives a factual account of what happened that night.”
adj
1
Based on facts rather than opinion or invention.
"The report gives a factual account of what happened that night."
"Try to keep your statement factual and leave out how you feel about it."
"The teacher asked for a factual summary of the story, not your opinions."
noun
1
A television or radio programme built around real events, such as a documentary.
"The channel is known for its wildlife factuals."
"I prefer factuals to dramas on a Sunday night."
"The broadcaster is making a new factual about life on a farm."
How to use factual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTrue and accurate, or (for TV) about real events rather than fiction.
Common pairings
factual account
factual error
factual programming
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more factual
- Superlative
- most factual
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The report gives a _____ account of what happened that night.
Etymology
Built from "fact" plus the ending "-ual," on the pattern of "actual."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for factual
See all rhymes for factual →Frequently asked questions
What does “factual” mean?
The word “factual” means based on facts rather than opinion or invention. In plain terms, true and accurate, or (for TV) about real events rather than fiction.
How do you pronounce “factual”?
“Factual” is pronounced FAK-shuhl (/ˈfæk.tʃ(u)əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “factual” in a sentence?
Here is “factual” used in a sentence: “The report gives a factual account of what happened that night.”
What part of speech is “factual”?
Depending on how it is used, “factual” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “factual” a common word?
“Factual” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “factual” have?
“Factual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: based on facts rather than opinion or invention.
What is the difference between factual and objective?
Factual means based on facts rather than opinion or invention, focusing on whether the content is true and verifiable. Objective goes further, implying that a person's judgment or presentation is also free from personal bias, so a report can be factual in its content while still framing those facts in a subjective or one-sided way.
What is a factual programme on television?
A factual programme is a television or radio programme built around real events, such as a documentary, news report, or nature series, as opposed to fictional drama or entertainment shows. This use of factual as a noun-modifying term is especially common in British broadcasting to describe genres like documentaries and current affairs.
What is the difference between factual and accurate?
Factual describes content that is grounded in real facts rather than opinion or fiction, while accurate specifically means free from errors or mistakes. A statement can be factual in the sense that it deals with real events, yet still contain inaccurate details, so the two words highlight different qualities of truthfulness.
