English Lexicon

Nonfiction

/nɒnˈfɪkʃən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    Prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history.

    "The library has a vast collection of nonfiction books covering various subjects."
  2. 2

    A genre of literature that presents information and arguments based on factual evidence.

    "Her latest nonfiction work explores the impact of climate change on global ecosystems."

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Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'nonfiction' is a compound word formed from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'fiction' derived from the Latin 'fictio', which means 'to shape or form'. The usage of 'nonfiction' in English dates back to the early 20th century, distinguishing factual works from imaginative literature.

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