matter of fact
noun
1A fact as distinct from an opinion or conjecture: it’s a matter of fact that they had a relationship...
- Some were matters of opinion, others were matters of fact.
- The extent of flooding is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact.
- An interpretation is a matter of opinion; it is not a matter of fact.
1.1 Law The part of a judicial inquiry concerned with the truth of alleged facts. Often contrasted with matter of law.It is an inquiry into matters of fact, just as a civil trial is an inquiry into matters of fact, and then a determination of whether negligence existed, for example....
- So how can they rule against me on a matter of fact when the facts were there?
- In the end it becomes a matter of fact for the judge to decide.
adjective (matter-of-fact)
1Unemotional and practical: she tried to keep her tone light and matter-of-fact...
- And the work you did was more practical, more matter-of-fact than a liberal cause or a conservative crusade.
- The greatest trump card that he has to offer is his practical, matter-of-fact approach to tackling world poverty.
- A down to-earth matter-of-fact approach devoid of judgment is best, no matter how horrific the details.
Synonyms
unemotional, practical, down-to-earth, sensible, realistic, rational, sober, unsentimental, pragmatic, businesslike, commonsensical, level-headed, hard-headed, no-nonsense, factual, literal, straightforward, plain, unembellished, unvarnished, unadorned, prosaic, mundane, unimaginative, uncreative, deadpan, flat, dull, dry, pedestrian, lifeless, humdrum
1.1Concerned only with factual content rather than style or expression: the text is written in a breezy matter-of-fact manner...
- The visual style is matter-of-fact and almost cinéma vérité, as if the camera is as furtive a spectator as the kidnapper with his telescopic sight.
- In a matter-of-fact style, great violence is done, but little action.
- The sober and matter-of-fact presentation makes his discussion seem like just common sense.
Phrases
as a matter of fact
Derivatives
matter-of-factness
/ noun ...- It moves in the opposite direction to most post-war poetry and prose, which sought practicality, matter-of-factness, accessibility.
- The statement is made with a common-sense matter-of-factness that resonates, even as part of me says it doesn't work that way.
- These quotations might seem rather naïve and simplistic contributions to an argument, but I believe they are instead extremely important and effective in their very simplicity and matter-of-factness.