as a matter of fact

In reality

facts of life

1. The details of reproduction, esp human reproduction
2. The realities of a situation

in fact or in point of fact

Indeed

the fact of the matter

The plain truth about the subject in question

matter /matˈər/

1. That which occupies space, and with which we become acquainted by our bodily senses
2. That out of which anything is made, material
3. The subject or material of thought, speech, writing, dispute, etc
4. Substance as distinct from form (philosophy)
5. Good sense (Shakespeare)
6. Anything engaging the attention
7. Whatever has physical existence, as distinct from mind (philosophy)
8. An affair, thing, concern, subject or question
9. A thing or substance of the kind specified, such as printed matter, vegetable matter
10. Cause or ground, as in matter of concern
11. A thing of consequence
12. Something that is amiss, as in what is the matter?
13. That with which a court is concerned, something to be tried or proved
14. (with neg) importance, significance or consequence
15. An approximate amount, eg of money, as in a matter of a few pounds
16. Material for work, type set up, copy, etc (printing)
17. Pus (medicine)

1. To be of importance, significance or consequence
2. To form or discharge pus (medicine)

To mind or concern oneself about

mattˈerful adjective (archaic)

Full of matter, pithy

mattˈerless adjective (now chiefly dialect)

mattˈery adjective

1. Purulent
2. Containing, discharging, or covered with pus

matter-of-factˈ adjective

1. Adhering to literal, actual or pedestrian fact
2. Not fanciful
3. Prosaic

matter-of-factˈly adverb

matter-of-factˈness noun

a matter of course

A thing occurring routinely, in natural time and order

a matter of form

A (mere) official procedure or conventional etiquette

a matter of opinion see under opinion

as a matter of fact see under fact

for that matter

1. As for that
2. Indeed

no matter

1. It does not matter
2. It makes no difference

the matter (with)

(the thing that is) amiss (with)