ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fictional

adj.
US //ˈfɪkʃənəɫ// UK //fˈɪkʃənəl// fic·tion·al
  1. 1 invented / not real (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    describes a person, place, or thing that is invented for a story and does not exist in real life.

    denoting characters, locations, or events created by the imagination and not based on historical or physical reality.

    Example

    Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character who lives in London.

    Example

    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.

  2. 2 containing invented elements (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes a story or book that uses some made-up parts even if it is based on real events.

    relating to the genre of fiction; containing elements of invention or imaginative construction.

    Example

    The film is a fictional account of the king's early life.

    Example

    The memoir was criticised for its fictional elements, as several key witnesses claimed the events did not occur as described.
    • non fiction
Origin

From fiction + -al.

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