Fiction

'fɪkʃən

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonLiterature
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Literature in the form of prose, especially short stories and novels, that describes imaginary events and people.

'fɪkʃən

nounneutralBeginner
Literature

A type of literature that describes imaginary events and people.

The library has a large section dedicated to fiction.

💡 Simply: Fiction is like stories that someone made up, like a book about dragons or a movie about superheroes. They're not real, but they're fun to imagine!

👶 For kids: Stories that are made up, like fairytales or adventures.

More Examples

2

He prefers to read fiction over factual books.

How It's Used

Literary

"She enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction books."

Academic

"The study analyzed the use of narrative techniques in modern fiction."

2

The invention or fabrication of a statement or an event, especially a statement known to be untrue.

'fɪkʃən

nounnegativemedium
Misinformation

Something invented or imagined, especially a statement that is known to be false.

The politician's defense was quickly revealed to be fiction.

💡 Simply: When someone makes up something that isn't real, like saying you saw a unicorn, that can be called fiction too. It's not the truth!

👶 For kids: Something that is not real, like a made-up story or a lie.

More Examples

2

Don't believe everything you read; some of it might be pure fiction.

How It's Used

General

"The claims made by the company turned out to be pure fiction."

Journalism

"The journalist exposed the fiction surrounding the scandal."

Tip:A lie, a fabrication – something that's clearly not true is often called fiction.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

From Latin *fictio* ("a shaping, feigning, invention"), from *fictus*, past participle of *fingere* ("to shape, mold, feign").

The term 'fiction' has been used in literature since the 16th century, originally referring to any creative work.

Memory tip

Think of a book full of made-up characters and stories – that's fiction!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"a shaping, feigning, invention"

science fictionhistorical fictiona work of fictionpure fictionfiction writing

Common misspellings

ficionficktion

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written