fact of life

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈfact of ˈlife, n. [countable]

1. any aspect of human existence that must be acknowledged as unchangeable.

Idioms

2. Idioms facts of life, information concerning sex, reproduction, and birth.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fact′ of life′, 

1. any aspect of human existence that must be acknowledged or regarded as unalterable:
   Old age is a fact of life.
2. facts of life, the facts concerning sex, reproduction, and birth:
   to teach children the facts of life.
• 1850–55

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fact /fækt/   n. 

1. something that is real and actually exists;
   reality;
   truth:
   [uncountable] Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened:
   [countable] It is a fact that an eclipse took place in that year.
3. something known to be true:
   [countable] scientific facts about plant growth.

Idioms

4. Idioms, Law after the fact, done, made, or formulated after something has occurred:
   We realized after the fact that she had been fooling us all along.
5. Idioms in fact, in truth;
   really;
   indeed;
   in reality:
   They are, in fact, great patriots.
   Also, as a matter of fact. 

See -fac-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fact  (fakt), n. 

1. something that actually exists;
   reality;
   truth:
   Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened:
   Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation;
   something known to be true:
   Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened:
   The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5. Law Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Cf. question of fact, question of law.
6. Law after the fact, after the commission of a crime:
   an accessory after the fact.
7. Law before the fact, prior to the commission of a crime:
   an accessory before the fact.
8. Idioms in fact, actually;
   really;
   indeed:
   In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.

• Latin factum something done, deed, noun, nominal use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do¹
• 1530–40

fact′ful, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fact / fækt/ noun

1. an event or thing known to have happened or existed
2. a truth verifiable from experience or observation
3. a piece of information: get me all the facts of this case
4. (often plural) an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge
5. a proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement
6. after the fact ⇒ after the commission of the offence
7. before the fact ⇒ before the commission of the offence
8. as a matter of fact, in fact, in point of fact ⇒ in reality or actuality
9. fact of life ⇒ an inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make