fictional
FIHK-shuh-nuhl
Fictional (adj) means existing only in a story; invented rather than real. Example: “Gotham City is a fictional setting inspired by New York.”
adj
1
Existing only in a story; invented rather than real.
"Romeo and Juliet are fictional characters."
"Gotham City is a fictional setting inspired by New York."
"The janitor's account of the crime turned out to be entirely fictional."
"The detective in the film is a fictional character, not a real person."
"The novel is set in a fictional country with its own language and customs."
How to use fictional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMade up for a story, not real.
Common mistake
"Fictional" describes something invented for a narrative (a fictional character); "fictitious" more often describes a false claim meant to deceive (a fictitious name on a fake ID).
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more fictional
- Superlative
- most fictional
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Gotham City is a _____ setting inspired by New York.
Etymology
From fiction plus the adjective ending -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
nonfictional
Related words
Rhymes for fictional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
emotional
irrational
See all rhymes for fictional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fictional” mean?
The word “fictional” means existing only in a story; invented rather than real. In plain terms, made up for a story, not real.
How do you pronounce “fictional”?
“Fictional” is pronounced FIHK-shuh-nuhl (/ˈfɪkʃənəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fictional” in a sentence?
Here is “fictional” used in a sentence: “Gotham City is a fictional setting inspired by New York.”
What part of speech is “fictional”?
“Fictional” is an adjective.
Is “fictional” a common word?
“Fictional” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "fictional" and "fictitious"?
"Fictional" typically describes characters, places, or events created for a story such as a novel or film, while "fictitious" more broadly describes anything invented or false, including in non-literary contexts such as a fictitious name or claim.
What is the difference between "fictional" and "imaginary"?
"Fictional" specifically describes something invented within the context of a narrative or story, while "imaginary" more broadly describes anything that exists only in the mind, whether or not it appears in a story.
Can a "fictional" character be based on a real person?
Yes. A fictional character can be inspired by or loosely based on a real person while still being classified as fictional, because the character as depicted does not exist as a real, verifiable individual.
