fact 
/ˈfækt/ noun
plural facts /ˈfækt/ noun 1 [count] : something that truly exists or happens : something that has actual existence
▪ Rapid electronic communication is now a fact. — often used in the phrase the fact that ▪ It's hard to accept the fact that she's gone. [=it's hard to accept that she's gone] ▪ What they're proposing is impractical, apart from the fact that it's also illegal. ▪ In spite of the fact that he was sick [=although he was sick], I went to visit him. 2 : a true piece of information [count] ▪ The book is filled with interesting facts and figures. ▪ Those are the (cold) hard facts of the case. ▪ I know for a fact that he did it. [=I am sure that he did it] ▪ He did it, and that's a fact. ▪ There's no doubt that he did it. The facts speak for themselves. [=the facts make it clear that he did it] [noncount] ▪ It can sometimes be hard to separate fact from fiction. [=to know what is true and what is false]
▪ Rapid electronic communication is now a fact. — often used in the phrase the fact that ▪ It's hard to accept the fact that she's gone. [=it's hard to accept that she's gone] ▪ What they're proposing is impractical, apart from the fact that it's also illegal. ▪ In spite of the fact that he was sick [=although he was sick], I went to visit him.
after the fact 1 law : after a crime has been committed
▪ She was charged with being an accessory after the fact. [=she was charged with helping someone who had committed a crime after the crime was committed] 2 : after something has happened : afterward
▪ They informed me of their decision only after the fact. [=after they had already made their decision]
▪ She was charged with being an accessory after the fact. [=she was charged with helping someone who had committed a crime after the crime was committed]
▪ They informed me of their decision only after the fact. [=after they had already made their decision]
as a matter of fact
— used to stress the truth of a statement ▪ “Do you know her personally?” “As a matter of fact, I do.”
bend (the) facts — see 1bend
in fact 1 : in truth — used to stress that a statement is true although it may be surprising or unlikely ▪ painters who are in fact anything but unsophisticated ▪ He looks younger, but he is in (actual) fact almost 60 years old. ▪ They know each other; in fact, they're close friends. = They know each other; they're close friends, in fact. 2 also in point of fact — used to introduce a true statement which shows that another statement is not true or accurate ▪ He claims that he supported the bill, but in fact he voted against it. [=the truth is that he voted against it] ▪ She says that she doesn't know him, but in point of fact they have been seen together many times.
is that a fact?
— used to respond to a statement that is thought to be surprising or unlikely ▪ “He looks much younger, but he's actually almost 60 years old.” “Is that a fact?” [=I am surprised he is 60 years old] ▪ “A lot of people agree with me.” “Is that a fact?” [=I doubt that a lot of people agree with you]
the fact is/remains
— used to stress that a statement is true and that its truth is not affected or changed by a previous statement ▪ He may not have meant it, but the fact remains that he committed a crime. ▪ The company has struggled recently, but the fact is that they are still making a profit.
the fact of the matter — see 1matter
