# fiction

/ˈfɪkʃən/ (US) · /fˈɪkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fiction
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. literature

noun · CEFR A2

books and stories about imaginary people and events.

For teachers: the genre of literature, typically prose, that describes imaginary events and people.

- She enjoys reading historical fiction because it makes the past feel alive.
- The library expanded its fiction section to accommodate the growing popularity of contemporary graphic novels and speculative prose.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the genre; countable when referring to a specific work.

### 2. a lie or invention

noun · CEFR B2

something that is not true or a story that someone made up to hide the truth.

For teachers: a statement, story, or belief that is false or fabricated, often intended to deceive.

- His excuse about the car breaking down was a complete fiction.
- The official report was dismissed as a convenient fiction designed to protect the reputation of the local authorities.

### 3. legal fiction

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

a situation where the law treats something as true even if it is not, to make a rule work.

For teachers: an assertion accepted as true by a court to allow a legal rule to be applied, despite its lack of factual basis.

- The idea that a company is a 'person' is a legal fiction used in court.
- The court relied on a legal fiction to establish jurisdiction over the offshore accounts, ensuring the defendants could not evade their obligations.

Usage: Usually appears in the fixed phrase 'legal fiction'.

## Examples

- I prefer reading fiction because I love imaginary stories.
- The bookstore has a large section dedicated to historical fiction set during the middle ages.
- While the characters are entirely works of fiction, the author draws heavily on her own childhood experiences to create a believable and emotionally resonant setting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.