nonfiction
gb/nɑnfˈɪkʃən/ us/nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
B1
English
tényirodalom, nem fikciós tartalom, nem fikciós, ismeretterjesztő, tényirodalmi
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[read/write/publish] nonfiction; a work/piece of nonfiction
She reads more nonfiction than novels these days.
Mostanában több tényirodalmat olvas, mint regényt.
His latest book is a work of nonfiction about the history of food.
Legújabb könyve az ételek történetéről szóló tényirodalmi mű.
The library shelves biographies with nonfiction.
Learner examples
I like nonfiction because I enjoy learning true stories.
Szeretem a tényirodalmat, mert szeretek igaz történeteket megismerni.
This book is nonfiction, not a novel.
Ez a könyv nem regény, hanem tényirodalmi mű.
Common mistake:
Nonfiction is usually uncountable as a genre. Say “a nonfiction book” or “a work of nonfiction,” not usually “a nonfiction.”
Meaning
factual writing or content
Collocations
read nonfiction
|write nonfiction
|publish nonfiction
|a work of nonfiction
|a piece of nonfiction
|nonfiction books
|children's nonfiction
|historical nonfiction
|nonfiction writer
|nonfiction section
Synonyms
factual writing (plain description emphasizing that the content is based on facts)
|
factual prose (more formal or literary, mainly for written nonfiction)
|
informational writing (often used in education; may sound broader and more instructional)
Antonyms
fiction (writing or stories invented from the imagination rather than presented as fact)
Themes
literature
|media
|education
|publishing
Definition
Books, articles, films, or other content about real facts and real events, not invented stories.
Writing, books, films, or other content that presents facts, real events, and real people rather than invented stories.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
nonfiction [book/film/series/section/category]
The bookstore has a large nonfiction section downstairs.
A könyvesboltban az alsó szinten nagy tényirodalmi részleg található.
They are making a nonfiction series about life in a hospital.
Kórházi életről készítenek dokumentumsorozatot.
For class, choose one fiction title and one nonfiction book.
Learner examples
I bought a nonfiction book about space.
Vettem egy ismeretterjesztő könyvet az űrről.
The show is nonfiction because the people are real.
A műsor nem fikciós, mert valódi emberek szerepelnek benne.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse “nonfiction” with “realistic fiction”; realistic fiction feels real but is still invented.
Meaning
based on real facts
Collocations
nonfiction book
|nonfiction film
|nonfiction series
|nonfiction podcast
|nonfiction title
|nonfiction category
|nonfiction section
|nonfiction bestseller
|nonfiction author
|nonfiction programming
Synonyms
factual (broader; can describe any statement or account based on facts)
|
fact-based (emphasizes a basis in real information or events)
|
documentary (mainly used for film, television, or audio that presents real events)
Antonyms
fictional (invented rather than based on real people or events)
|
fiction (used attributively for books or categories of invented stories)
Themes
literature
|media
|publishing
|education
Definition
Used to describe a book, film, or program that is about real things, not an invented story.
Based on facts, real events, or real people, especially as a type of book, film, program, or other content.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nonfiction
IPA
GB/nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
US/nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
Syllables & stress
non - fic - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fic)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nonfiction
- Plural: nonfiction
Expressions
creative nonfiction
1/kɹiˈeɪtɪv nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
fixed phrase
true stories with literary style
True writing that uses some of the style and storytelling methods of fiction.
Examples
- Her memoir is often taught as creative nonfiction.
- The magazine publishes essays, profiles, and other creative nonfiction.
- He blends research and personal experience in his creative nonfiction.
Learner examples
- Creative nonfiction tells true stories in an interesting style.
- She wrote a creative nonfiction essay about her family.
literary nonfiction
1/lˈɪtɚˌɛɹi nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
fixed phrase
nonfiction with literary quality
Nonfiction that is written with a strong, artistic style.
Examples
- The anthology includes poetry, short stories, and literary nonfiction.
- Her essays are examples of literary nonfiction at its best.
- Students analyzed the structure and voice of a piece of literary nonfiction.
Learner examples
- We read literary nonfiction in my writing class.
- The essay is literary nonfiction, so it is true but beautifully written.
long-form nonfiction
1/lˈɔŋ fˈɔɹm nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
fixed phrase
extended factual writing
Long nonfiction articles or essays that explore a topic deeply.
Examples
- The website is known for long-form nonfiction on politics and culture.
- She moved from daily news reporting into long-form nonfiction.
- A good piece of long-form nonfiction gives readers context, characters, and evidence.
Learner examples
- He likes reading long-form nonfiction online.
- The article is long-form nonfiction about climate change.
narrative nonfiction
1/nˈɛɹɪtɪv nɑnfˈɪkʃən/
fixed phrase
true events told as story
A true book or article that is written like a story.
Examples
- The book is narrative nonfiction about a team of scientists racing to stop an epidemic.
- Good narrative nonfiction can make history feel immediate and dramatic.
- The course focuses on memoir, reporting, and narrative nonfiction.
Learner examples
- This narrative nonfiction book tells a true adventure story.
- I like narrative nonfiction because it reads like a novel.
nonfiction novel
1/nɑnfˈɪkʃən nˈɑvəl/
fixed phrase
true account like a novel
A book about real events that is written in a style similar to a novel.
Examples
- The author described the book as a nonfiction novel about a famous criminal case.
- A nonfiction novel may read like fiction, but it is built from reported facts.
- Critics debated how much invention a nonfiction novel can allow.
Learner examples
- The nonfiction novel tells a true crime story.
- It reads like a novel, but the events are real.