fiction

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.

“Fiction” is pronounced FIHK-shuhn (/ˈfɪkʃən/ in IPA).

Here is “fiction” used in a sentence: “She writes historical fiction set in Victorian London.”

Words with a similar meaning to “fiction” include fabrication and figment.

The opposite of “fiction” — its antonyms — are documentary, fact, non-fiction and truth.

“Fiction” is a noun.

The word “fiction” comes from Latin. From Old French ficcion, from Latin fictiō ("a shaping, invention"), from fingō ("to form, feign").

“Fiction” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

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.

'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.

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.