factual
/ˈfæktʃuəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfæktʃuəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfak-chə-wəl -chəl, -chü-əl, ˈfaksh-wəl/ (ame, mw)
factual — adjective
- factualpositive
- more factualcomparative
- most factualsuperlative
1. relating to information that can be checked and shown to be true or real, rather
relating to information that can be checked and shown to be true or real, rather than based on personal opinions, feelings, or guesses — for example, a factual report about an event uses real data and verified details.
The team checked all the factual details before publishing the report.
collocation: factual details — specific verifiable pieces of information
Ayana's statement was purely factual and did not include any personal opinions.
adverb + factual: purely factual
The textbook provides a factual account of the country's history.
When writing a research paper, you must rely on factual evidence from reliable sources.
Nila asked the lawyer to confirm which parts of the claim were factual.
- accurate
emphasises correctness; factual information is fact-based but may not be perfectly accurate if the source facts are wrong
- objective
focuses on absence of personal bias or feelings, whereas factual focuses on presence of verified information
- verifiable
stresses that something can be checked or proved, which directly connects to the idea that facts are testable
- fictional
invented or imagined rather than based on real facts
- fictitious
similar to fictional, but often used for deliberately invented or false information
- opinion-based
based on personal views rather than verified information
用法筆記
Commonly used both before a noun (a factual account) and after a linking verb (the report was factual). Suitable for formal, academic, and everyday contexts without strong register restrictions.