fiction
FIHK-shuhn
Fiction (noun) means writing about imaginary people and events, rather than real ones. Example: “She writes historical fiction set in Victorian London.”
noun
1
Writing about imaginary people and events, rather than real ones.
"She writes historical fiction set in Victorian London."
"The novel blends fact and fiction so seamlessly it's hard to tell them apart."
"I prefer fiction to biography because I enjoy getting lost in a story."
2
A statement or claim that is untrue, sometimes meant to mislead.
"His alibi turned out to be pure fiction."
"The rumour that the shop was closing turned out to be total fiction."
"Her excuse was a fiction she invented to avoid the meeting."
How to use fiction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMade-up stories, or more broadly, anything untrue presented as if it were fact.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
works of fiction
science fiction
a legal fiction
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Word forms
- Plural
- fictions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She writes historical _____ set in Victorian London.
Etymology
From Old French ficcion, from Latin fictiō ("a shaping, invention"), from fingō ("to form, feign").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for fiction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for fiction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fiction” mean?
The word “fiction” means writing about imaginary people and events, rather than real ones. In plain terms, made-up stories, or more broadly, anything untrue presented as if it were fact.
How do you pronounce “fiction”?
“Fiction” is pronounced FIHK-shuhn (/ˈfɪkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “fiction” in a sentence?
Here is “fiction” used in a sentence: “She writes historical fiction set in Victorian London.”
What is another word for “fiction”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fiction” include fabrication and figment.
What is the opposite of “fiction”?
The opposite of “fiction” — its antonyms — are documentary, fact, non-fiction and truth.
What part of speech is “fiction”?
“Fiction” is a noun.
Where does the word “fiction” come from?
The word “fiction” comes from Latin. From Old French ficcion, from Latin fictiō ("a shaping, invention"), from fingō ("to form, feign").
Is “fiction” a common word?
“Fiction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
Fiction is writing about imaginary people and events invented by the author, such as novels and short stories. Non-fiction deals with real facts, people, and events, like biographies, history, and journalism. The simplest test is whether the content is made up or true to real life.
What is the difference between 'fictional' and 'fictitious'?
'Fictional' means belonging to fiction or literature — a fictional character in a novel. 'Fictitious' means false or invented, often to deceive — a fictitious name on a form. Both describe things that are not real, but 'fictitious' carries a stronger sense of dishonesty or trickery.
What are the types of fiction?
Fiction spans forms such as novels, novellas, and short stories, and genres including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, and historical fiction. It ranges from literary fiction, prized for style and depth, to popular genre fiction written mainly to entertain — all sharing invented characters and events.
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