fact

[ fakt ]
/ fækt /

noun

something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
Law. Often facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Compare question of fact, question of law.

Idioms for fact

Origin of fact

1530–40; < Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do1

OTHER WORDS FROM fact

fact·ful, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH fact

facts FAQs fax

Words nearby fact

facsimile, facsimile catalog, facsimile machine, facsimile transmission, facsm, fact, fact finder, fact of life, fact-check, fact-finding, factice

British Dictionary definitions for after the fact

fact
/ (fækt) /

noun

Derived forms of fact

factful, adjective

Word Origin for fact

C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make

Idioms and Phrases with after the fact (1 of 2)

after the fact

After an actual occurrence, particularly after a crime. For example, I know the brakes should have been repaired, but that doesn't help much after the fact. The use of fact for a crime dates from the first half of the 1500s. The word became standard in British law and is still used in this way today. The idiom was first recorded in 1769 in the phrase accessories after the fact, referring to persons who assist a lawbreaker after a crime has been committed. Now it is also used more loosely, as in the example above.

Idioms and Phrases with after the fact (2 of 2)

fact