fact

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English Vietnamese dictionary

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Advanced English dictionary

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+ noun
1 [sing.] ~ (that ...) used to refer to a particular situation that exists: I could no longer ignore the fact that he was deeply unhappy. + Despite the fact that she was wearing a seat belt, she was thrown sharply forward. + Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing. + She was happy apart from the fact that she could not return home. + Voluntary work was particularly important in view of the fact that women were often forced to give up paid work on marriage. + How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising? + The fact remains that we are still two teachers short. + The mere fact of being poor makes such children criminals in the eyes of the police.
2 [C] a thing that is known to be true, especially when it can be proved: Isn't it a fact that the firm is losing money? + (informal) I haven't spoken to anyone in English for days and that's a fact. + I know for a fact (= I am certain) that she's involved in something illegal. + The judge instructed both lawyers to stick to the facts of the case. + First, some basic facts about healthy eating! + The report is based on hard facts (= information that can be proved to be true). + If you're going to make accusations, you'd better get your facts right (= make sure your information is correct). + It's about time you learnt to face (the) facts (= accepted the truth about the situation).
3 [U] things that are true rather than things that have been invented: The story is based on fact. + It's important to distinguish fact from fiction.
Idioms: after the fact after sth has happened or been done when it is too late to prevent it or change it: On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact.
the fact (of the matter) is (that) ... used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned: A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can't afford one.
a fact of life a situation that cannot be changed, especially one that is unpleasant: It's a fact of life that some people will always be racist.
facts and figures accurate and detailed information: I've asked to see all the facts and figures before I make a decision.
the facts of life the details about sex and about how babies are born, especially as told to children
the facts speak for themselves it is not necessary to give any further explanation about sth because the information that is available already proves that it is true
in (actual) fact
1 used to give extra details about sth that has just been mentioned: I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you're going.
2 used to emphasize a statement, especially one that is the opposite of what has just been mentioned: I thought the work would be difficult. In actual fact, it's very easy.
Is that a fact? (spoken) used to reply to a statement that you find interesting or surprising, or that you do not believe: 'She says I'm one of the best students she's ever taught.' 'Is that a fact?'
more at MATTER n., POINT n.

Thesaurus dictionary

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n.

1 reality, actuality, truth, certainty:

The fact of the matter is that she didn't do it. Is there a basis in fact for your allegations?

2 accomplishment, fait accompli; occurrence, event, happening, incident, episode, experience, act, deed:

Supersonic travel has been a fact for many years.

3 Often, facts. data, information, particular(s), detail(s), point(s), item(s), factor(s), Colloq low-down, (inside) info, the score, Brit the gen, US and Canadian the poop:

If I am going to defend you, I need all the facts of the case.

4 in fact. indeed, to be sure, as a matter of (actual) fact, in truth, truly, truthfully, actually, really, in reality, in point of fact, factually:

He didn't come; in fact, he had gone abroad the week before.

Collocation dictionary

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ADJ.

important, interesting, relevant, salient

looking at all the relevant facts

| basic | concrete, hard, incontrovertible, inescapable, observable, obvious, plain, straightforward, true, undeniable

The police have to support their case with hard facts. These are all incontrovertible facts.

| bare, brute, disturbing, harsh, sad, stark, unpalatable, unpleasant

the bare facts of war a rather harsh fact of life

| little-known, well-known

It is a well-known fact that girls do better than boys at school.

| mere

The mere fact of your being there will arouse their suspicions.

| historical

VERB + FACT

be aware of, have, know

We haven't got all the facts yet. She already knew the facts she needed.

| ascertain, establish, find out

the best way of establishing the facts

| check, examine, look at

I think you need to check your facts. For God's sake, look at the facts!

| prove

These facts have not yet been proved.

| collect, gather | select

Historians must first select the facts that they present.

| give, impart, present, state

The job of the teacher is not simply to impart facts. I'm not making excuses?I'm just stating a fact.

| interpret

different ways of interpreting the facts

| account for, explain

How do you account for the fact that unemployment is still rising?

| accept, acknowledge, face, recognize

She wouldn't accept the fact that she had lost. I'm afraid you'll have to face facts. She'll never marry you.

| grasp

He doesn't seem able to grasp this basic fact.

| learn | assimilate

Students need time to assimilate the facts.

| deny, dispute

No one can deny this fact.

| ignore, overlook

This approach ignores the fact that people, not computers, commit crimes.

| be oblivious to | conceal, disguise, hide

If he was bored, he managed to hide the fact very well.

| obscure

The recent improvements should not obscure the fact that general standards are still far too low.

| draw attention to

The report draws attention to the fact that the country is now a net exporter of the product.

| emphasize, underline | confine yourself to, keep to, stick to

Just stick to the facts.

| be based on

a novel based on historical fact

| reflect

Prices reflect the fact that the company is aiming at the luxury market.

| stem from

He knew their bitterness stemmed from the fact that he was in charge.

| be explained by | be complicated by, be compounded by, be exacerbated by

The problem was compounded by the fact that I had no idea what I was looking for?only ‘some sort of clue’.

| lament, regret, resent

We sat miserably in the pub, lamenting the fact that our dry clothes were a 60-mile bus journey away. She resented the fact that I was older and had more freedom than her.

FACT + VERB

remain

The fact remains that we are still two teachers short.

PREP.

after the ~

On some vital decisions employees were only informed after the fact (= when it was too late to change them).

| apart from the ~

She was happy, apart from the fact that she could not return home.

| despite/in spite of/notwithstanding the ~

She's taking her children on holiday, despite the fact that school starts tomorrow.

| due to the ~

Due to the fact that they did not read English, the prisoners were unaware of what they were signing.

| given the ~

The findings are not surprising, given the facts: …

| in ~

I used to live in France; in fact, not far from where you're going.

| ~ about

We learned several interesting facts about elephants.

PHRASES

(as) a matter of fact

It's not wild speculation! It's plain matter of fact.

‘I suppose you'll be leaving soon, then?’ ‘No, as a matter of fact I'll be staying for another two years.’

| facts and figures

presenting all the facts and figures to the meeting

| the fact of the matter

A new car would be wonderful but the fact of the matter is that we can't afford one.

| the facts of the case

The facts of the case are quite straightforward.

| a fact of life

(= a situation that cannot be changed)It is an unpalatable fact of life that the most deserving people do no

| the facts of life

(= the details about sex and how babies are born, especially as told to children),

fact or fiction?

The Loch Ness Monster: fact or fiction?

| the facts speak for themselves

(= further explanation about sth is unnecessary because the facts prove it is true),

get your facts right/wrong

If you're going to make accusations, you'd better get your facts right.

| have the facts at your fingertips

When making your presentation, it is important to have all the facts at your fingertips (= to have the information you need and be able to find it and use it quickly).

| in actual fact/in point of fact

I thought the work would be difficult. In actual fact, it's very easy.

| in view of the fact that …

Voluntary work was particularly important in view of the fact that women were often forced to give up paid work on marriage.

| know for a fact

Do you know for a fact that he is in London?

| a question/statement of fact

It's a simple statement of fact.

| a recognition of the fact that …

a growing recognition of the fact that learning may take different forms

Concise English dictionary

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factsfækt
noun
+a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
+a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened
+an event known to have happened or something known to have existed
+a concept whose truth can be proved