nonfiction

noun

non·​fic·​tion ˌnän-ˈfik-shən How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
: writing or cinema that is about facts and real events
He prefers to read nonfiction rather than novels.
nonfictional
ˌnän-ˈfik-shnəl How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of nonfiction in a Sentence

He reads a lot of nonfiction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An individual in a documentary has never been nominated in an acting category because, of course, there aren’t usually actors playing other characters in a nonfiction film. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 Although there are some novels in the mix, the lineup leans heavily toward nonfiction titles. — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026 The surprise inclusion of a certain actor and staged reenactments are among the film’s non-conventional elements that expose the tensions between performance, nonfiction and truth. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 In literary nonfiction, though, the relationship between voice and authorship is more complicated. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonfiction

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonfiction was in 1867

Rhymes for nonfiction

See All Rhymes for nonfiction

Browse Nearby Words

nonfibrous
nonfiction
nonfictional
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonfiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonfiction. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nonfiction

noun
non·​fic·​tion ˈnän-ˈfik-shən How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
: literature or cinema that is not fictional
nonfictional
(ˈ)nän-ˈfik-shnəl How to pronounce nonfiction (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
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