fiction
fiction
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fiction" is /ˈfɪk.ʃən/.
fic: /ˈfɪk/
tion: /ʃən/
Word Form Variations
Noun: fiction (singular, uncountable), fictions (plural, countable, referring to different works of fiction or falsehoods)
Adjective: fictional, fictitious
Adverb: fictionally, fictitiously
Verb: fictionalize (base form), fictionalizes (third person singular present), fictionalized (past tense, past participle), fictionalizing (present participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Fiction
Literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people.
Synonyms: novel, story, narrative, prose, romance (archaic literary sense)
Antonyms: non-fiction, reality, fact, truth
Something invented or imagined; a falsehood or pretense.
Synonyms: fabrication, invention, untruth, lie, fantasy, delusion
Antonyms: fact, truth, reality, actuality, verity
Adjective
Fictional
Relating to or occurring in fiction; imaginary.
Synonyms: imaginary, invented, fabricated, imagined, mythical, hypothetical
Antonyms: real, factual, actual, true, historical
Fictitious
Not real or true; invented for a purpose or as a pretense.
Synonyms: false, fabricated, counterfeit, feigned, bogus, sham
Antonyms: genuine, real, authentic, true, actual
Adverb
Fictionally
In a manner that is part of a fictional story or imaginary.
Synonyms: imaginatively, narratively, inventively
Antonyms: factually, actually, truly
Fictitiously
In a false or untrue manner; deceptively.
Synonyms: falsely, misleadingly, deceptively, spuriously
Antonyms: truly, genuinely, accurately
Verb
Fictionalize
To make into a work of fiction; to treat (a real person or event) as the subject of a work of fiction.
Synonyms: dramatize, romanticize, imagine, invent, elaborate
Antonyms: document, report, verify, fact-check
Examples of Use
Books
Literary Classification: Libraries and bookstores categorize works as "science fiction," "historical fiction," or "literary fiction." For example, Dune by Frank Herbert is a classic work of science fiction (Chilton Books, August 1965).
Academic Texts: Literary criticism often analyzes the themes and techniques within various works of fiction. "This essay explores the use of symbolism in modern fiction."
Author's Notes: Authors sometimes clarify that their work is a work of "fiction" and any resemblance to real persons is coincidental.
Newspapers
Arts & Culture Sections: Reviews and articles frequently discuss new fiction releases, compare literary fiction to popular fiction, or interview authors of fiction. "The literary world anticipates the year's best fiction novels" (The New York Times, November 2024).
News Analysis: Journalists might critique political statements as being "pure fiction" or based on "alternative facts rather than reality."
Editorials: Columnists sometimes argue about the blurring lines between fiction and reality in public discourse.
Online Publications
Book Review Sites: Websites like Goodreads or Kirkus Reviews specialize in reviewing both fiction and non-fiction. "Discover the top 10 new science fiction books."
Blogs: Writing blogs offer tips on crafting compelling fiction narratives or developing fictional characters. "How to write engaging historical fiction."
Social Media: Users discuss their favorite works of fiction, share fan fiction, or point out political statements they believe are pure "fiction."
News Sites: Fact-checking websites might debunk claims, stating, "This theory is entirely fiction."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: The majority of films and television series are works of fiction, presenting invented stories and characters. A movie might be advertised as "a gripping work of crime fiction."
Streaming Services: Platforms categorize content by genre, often including vast "science fiction," "fantasy fiction," or "drama fiction" sections.
Video Games: Most narrative-driven video games are works of interactive fiction, featuring original worlds and characters. "The game's storyline is a brilliant piece of speculative fiction."
Podcasts: Storytelling podcasts often present original audio fiction, while other podcasts might discuss the craft of writing fiction.
Comic Books/Graphic Novels: These are visual forms of fiction, presenting sequential art narratives.
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily conversation, people discuss books they're reading, asking, "Is it fiction or non-fiction?" or remarking, "That story sounds like pure fiction." "His excuse was complete fiction."
Education: Teachers assign fiction novels for reading and literary analysis. Students are taught to distinguish fact from fiction.
Debates: In public discussions, a participant might dismiss an opponent's claim as "total fiction."
Creative Writing: Aspiring writers discuss techniques for developing fiction plots and characters.
10 Quotes Using Fiction
"Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn't." (Mark Twain)
"Science fiction is a way of writing about the world and seeing it in a fantastic way, not in a scientific way." (Ray Bradbury)
"History is nothing but fiction agreed upon." (Napoleon Bonaparte)
"The best science fiction is about the present, not the future." (Bruce Sterling)
"The only difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." (Tom Clancy)
"Science fiction is the mythology of the modern world." (Joseph Campbell)
"Humanity thrives on shared fiction, whether it be money, laws, or nations."
"The line between fact and fiction is often blurred by individual perception and desire."
"In the boundless realm of fiction, possibilities are truly endless for the human spirit."
"Every truly great scientific leap was once considered mere fiction by the skeptical."
Etymology
The word "fiction" comes from the Latin word "fictio," which means "a shaping," "a making," or "a feigning." It's related to the Latin verb "fingere," meaning "to mold," "to form," or "to invent." So, at its root, it's about something that's shaped or made up.
The first known use of "fiction" in English, referring to "something feigned or invented; a falsehood," dates back to the early 15th century. It appeared in texts to describe something that wasn't true or was created from imagination, particularly in the context of stories or narratives.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fiction
Science fiction: A genre of speculative fiction dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, and extraterrestrial life. "Many classic novels belong to the science fiction genre."
Historical fiction: A literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting corresponding to a historical period, but the narrative and characters are invented. "She enjoys reading historical fiction set in ancient Rome."
Literary fiction: A category of fiction distinguished by its literary merit, often focusing on character development, style, and themes rather than plot. "Book clubs often select works of literary fiction for discussion."
Work of fiction: A story or narrative that is invented, not factual. "The disclaimer stated that the film was a complete work of fiction."
Pure fiction: Something entirely made up or untrue. "His excuse for being late was pure fiction."
Fan fiction: Fiction written by a fan of, and featuring characters from, a particular TV series, movie, etc. "Teenagers often write fan fiction about their favorite characters."
Legal fiction: A legal assumption that something is true, even though it may be untrue, for the purpose of achieving a particular legal objective. "The concept of a corporation as a 'person' is a legal fiction."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fiction from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
