Word
fictional
Phoneticsfic·tion·al, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɪkʃənəɫ/
UK/fˈɪkʃənəl/
Definitions
01invented / not real
B1 · Intermediate
adj. describes a person, place, or thing that is invented for a story and does not exist in real life.
adj. denoting characters, locations, or events created by the imagination and not based on historical or physical reality.
“Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character who lives in London.”
“The author created a fictional world with its own unique laws of physics and complex social structures.”
Pitfall
The movie is based on a fictional story.
The movie is a fictional story.
While you can say 'based on a true story', 'fictional' already means it is invented, so 'based on a fictional story' is often redundant unless the movie is based on a book.
Antonyms
02containing invented elements
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describes a story or book that uses some made-up parts even if it is based on real events.
adj. relating to the genre of fiction; containing elements of invention or imaginative construction.
“The film is a fictional account of the king's early life.”
“The memoir was criticised for its fictional elements, as several key witnesses claimed the events did not occur as described.”
Antonyms
Etymology
From fiction + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/fictional