a thing that is known or proved to be true:the most commonly known fact about hedgehogs is that they have fleas [mass noun]:a body of fact
(facts) information used as evidence or as part of a report or news article:even the most inventive journalism peters out without facts, and in this case there were no facts
(the fact that) used to refer to a particular situation under discussion:despite the fact that I’m so tired, sleep is elusive
[mass noun] chiefly Law the truth about events as opposed to interpretation:there was a question of fact as to whether they had received the letter
before (or after) the fact
before (or after) the committing of a crime:an accessory before the fact
facts and figures
precise details:he presents the facts and figures of his case openly and honestly
a fact of life
something that must be accepted and cannot be changed, however unpalatable:baldness is a fact of life for a lot of men
the facts of life
information about sexual functions and practices, especially as given to children.
the fact of the matter
the truth:the fact of the matter is that few such cases reach the magistrates' courts
in (point of) fact
used to emphasize the truth of an assertion, especially one opposite to what might be expected or what has been asserted:the brook trout is in fact a char
