Fact vs. Truth — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true or false, while truth is a broader concept signifying conformity with reality or actuality.
Difference Between Fact and Truth
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fact refers to information that can be verified and has objective reality. These are typically specific details, data, or pieces of knowledge. On the other hand, truth is a more philosophical and expansive term, indicating something that aligns with reality or the way things genuinely are.
While a fact is something that's quantifiable and can be objectively measured or observed, truth is often more subjective, potentially varying between individuals based on their perceptions and beliefs.
It's crucial to note that while all facts are truths (since they are true by definition), not all truths are facts. For instance, a person might hold a personal truth based on feelings or beliefs, but this may not be a universally verifiable fact.
Fact often pertains to historical, scientific, or concrete information that remains consistent and unchanging. Truth, in contrast, can be broader and may evolve or change based on new insights, revelations, or shifts in personal or collective understanding.
Facts can often be backed by evidence, making them indisputable in specific contexts. Truths, however, especially those that delve into morals, beliefs, or personal experiences, might not always have tangible evidence yet are genuine and valid in their own right.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A statement that can be proven true or false.
Conformity with reality or actuality.
Nature
Objective and verifiable.
Can be subjective and personal.
Scope
Narrower, specific data or knowledge.
Broader, encompassing reality and beliefs.
Evidence
Often requires evidence for verification.
May or may not have tangible evidence.
Example
The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Honesty is the best policy.
Compare with Definitions
Fact
Something known to exist or to have happened.
The fact that he won the race surprised everyone.
Truth
The quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality.
The truth of the matter is that we lost.
Fact
A statement that can be objectively verified.
It's a fact that water boils at 100°C at sea level.
Truth
A statement or idea that is true or accepted as true.
The truth is, he was never really invested in the project.
Fact
Actual occurrences or events.
She recounted the facts of her journey.
Truth
Reality as opposed to appearance.
She's searching for the truth behind his actions.
Fact
A thing that is known to be consistent with objective reality.
The fact remains that she is the leading expert in her field.
Truth
Truth is the property of being in accord with fact or reality. In everyday language, truth is typically ascribed to things that aim to represent reality or otherwise correspond to it, such as beliefs, propositions, and declarative sentences.Truth is usually held to be the opposite of falsehood.
Fact
A fact is an occurrence in the real world. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability—that is whether it can be demonstrated to correspond to experience.
Truth
Conformity to fact or actuality
Does this story have any truth?.
Fact
A thing that is known or proved to be true
The most commonly known fact about hedgehogs is that they have fleas
He ignores some historical and economic facts
A body of fact
Truth
Reality; actuality
In truth, he was not qualified for the job.
Fact
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences
An account based on fact.
A blur of fact and fancy.
Truth
The reality of a situation
The truth is, she respects your work.
Fact
Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed
Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.
Truth
A statement proven to be or accepted as true
Truths about nature.
Fact
A real occurrence; an event
Had to prove the facts of the case.
Truth
Such statements considered as a group
Researchers in pursuit of truth.
Fact
Something believed to be true or real
A document laced with mistaken facts.
Truth
Sincerity; integrity
The truth of his intentions.
Fact
A thing that has been done, especially a crime
An accessory before the fact.
Truth
Fidelity to an original or standard
The truth of the copy.
Fact
(Law) A conclusion drawn by a judge or jury from the evidence in a case
A finding of fact.
Truth
Theology & Philosophy That which is considered to be the ultimate ground of reality.
Fact
Something actual as opposed to invented.
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
Truth
(Logic) The positive (true) truth-value.
Fact
Something which is real.
Gravity is a fact, not a theory.
Truth
True facts, genuine depiction or statements of reality.
The truth is that our leaders knew a lot more than they were letting on.
Fact
Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.
Truth
Conformity to fact or reality; correctness, accuracy.
There was some truth in his statement that he had no other choice.
Fact
An objective consensus on a fundamental reality that has been agreed upon by a substantial number of experts.
There is no doubting the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun.
Truth
The state or quality of being true to someone or something.
Truth to one's own feelings is all-important in life.
Fact
Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
The facts about space travel.
Truth
(archaic) Faithfulness, fidelity.
Fact
(databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.
Truth
(obsolete) A pledge of loyalty or faith.
Fact
(archaic) Action; the realm of action.
Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, model, etc.
Fact
A wrongful or criminal deed.
He had become an accessory after the fact.
Truth
That which is real, in a deeper sense; spiritual or ‘genuine’ reality.
The truth is what is.
Alcoholism and redemption led me finally to truth.
Fact
(obsolete) A feat or meritorious deed.
Truth
(countable) Something acknowledged to be true; a true statement or axiom.
Hunger and jealousy are just eternal truths of human existence.
Fact
Used before making a statement to introduce it as a trustworthy one.
Truth
Topness; the property of a truth quark.
Fact
A doing, making, or preparing.
A project for the fact and vendingOf a new kind of fucus, paint for ladies.
Truth
(games) In the game truth or dare, the choice to truthfully answer a question put forth.
When asked truth or dare, he picked truth.
Fact
An effect produced or achieved; anything done or that comes to pass; an act; an event; a circumstance.
What might instigate him to this devilish fact, I am not able to conjecture.
He who most excels in fact of arms.
Truth
To assert as true; to declare; to speak truthfully.
Fact
Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.
Truth
To make exact; to correct for inaccuracy.
Fact
The assertion or statement of a thing done or existing; sometimes, even when false, improperly put, by a transfer of meaning, for the thing done, or supposed to be done; a thing supposed or asserted to be done; as, history abounds with false facts.
I do not grant the fact.
This reasoning is founded upon a fact which is not true.
Truth
To tell the truth.
Fact
A piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred;
First you must collect all the facts of the case
Truth
The quality or being true; as: - (a) Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be.
Fact
A statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened;
He supported his argument with an impressive array of facts
Truth
Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, object of imitation, or the like.
Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the ironwork.
Fact
An event known to have happened or something known to have existed;
Your fears have no basis in fact
How much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell
Truth
That which is true or certain concerning any matter or subject, or generally on all subjects; real state of things; fact; verity; reality.
Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor.
I long to know the truth here of at large.
The truth depends on, or is only arrived at by, a legitimate deduction from all the facts which are truly material.
Fact
A concept whose truth can be proved;
Scientific hypotheses are not facts
Truth
Fidelity; constancy; steadfastness; faithfulness.
Alas! they had been friends in youth,But whispering tongues can poison truth.
Fact
A piece of information presented as having objective reality.
The report included every fact about the incident.
Truth
A true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition; an established principle, fixed law, or the like; as, the great truths of morals.
Even so our boasting . . . is found a truth.
Truth
The practice of speaking what is true; freedom from falsehood; veracity.
If this will not suffice, it must appearThat malice bears down truth.
Truth
Righteousness; true religion.
Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.
He that doeth truth cometh to the light.
Truth
To assert as true; to declare.
Had they [the ancients] dreamt this, they would have truthed it heaven.
Truth
A fact that has been verified;
At last he knew the truth
The truth is the he didn't want to do it
Truth
Conformity to reality or actuality;
They debated the truth of the proposition
The situation brought home to us the blunt truth of the military threat
He was famous for the truth of his portraits
He turned to religion in his search for eternal verities
Truth
A true statement;
He told the truth
He thought of answering with the truth but he knew they wouldn't believe it
Truth
The quality of nearness to the truth or the true value;
He was beginning to doubt the accuracy of his compass
The lawyer questioned the truth of my account
Truth
United States abolitionist and feminist who was freed from slavery and became a leading advocate of the abolition of slavery and for the rights of women (1797-1883)
Truth
A verified or indisputable fact.
It's the truth that he came first in the exam.
Truth
Sincerity in action, speech, and character.
She spoke the truth about her feelings.
Common Curiosities
Can a fact change over time?
Some facts can change with new discoveries or information, while others remain constant.
Is truth always objective?
No, truth can be subjective, especially when related to personal beliefs or feelings.
Are all facts true?
Yes, by definition, facts are true.
Are all scientific facts also truths?
Yes, scientific facts are truths in the context of current knowledge, but they can be updated with new findings.
Is truth the same as honesty?
No, while honesty refers to sincerity and truthfulness, truth is about conformity with fact or reality.
Can a lie ever become a fact?
No, a lie cannot become a fact, but if believed, it can be mistakenly seen as truth.
Can truths vary between cultures or societies?
Yes, what's regarded as truth in one culture might differ in another, especially in the context of beliefs or values.
Can a truth be false?
Truth signifies reality, so it cannot be false. However, what one believes to be true may not always be a fact.
Is an opinion a fact or truth?
An opinion is neither a fact nor a universal truth but can be a personal truth for someone.
How can one determine the truth?
It often requires critical thinking, evidence, and sometimes introspection to discern truth.
Can personal experiences be truths but not facts?
Yes, personal experiences can be genuine truths for individuals but may not be universally verifiable facts.
Do facts have value judgments?
Facts are neutral and don't carry value judgments, whereas truths, especially moral or philosophical ones, might.
Can a fact be subjective?
No, facts are objective and are true regardless of personal feelings or beliefs.
Are facts always based on evidence?
Facts are typically backed by evidence, making them verifiable.
Is there a difference between factual truth and moral truth?
Yes, factual truth is verifiable, while moral truth relates to beliefs about right and wrong.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
