MATTER-OF-FACT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does matter-of-fact mean? 

• MATTER-OF-FACT (adjective)
  The adjective MATTER-OF-FACT has 2 senses:

1. not fanciful or imaginative

2. concerned with practical matters

  Familiarity information: MATTER-OF-FACT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MATTER-OF-FACT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not fanciful or imaginative

Synonyms:

matter-of-fact; prosaic

Context example:

a prosaic and unimaginative essay

Similar:

unrhetorical (not rhetorical)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Concerned with practical matters

Synonyms:

matter-of-fact; pragmatic; pragmatical

Context example:

a matter-of-fact account of the trip

Similar:

practical (concerned with actual use or practice)

 Context examples 

It is a sort of prologue to the play, a motto to the chapter; and will be soon followed by matter-of-fact prose.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

It is to be a cold, prosaic, matter-of-fact business proposition.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

I am a very matter-of-fact, plain-spoken being, and may blunder on the borders of a repartee for half an hour together without striking it out.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

A year ago which of us would have received such a possibility, in the midst of our scientific, sceptical, matter-of-fact nineteenth century?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"What silly questions you ask!" And Jo gave a disdainful shrug as the rest laughed at Laurie's matter-of-fact tone.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Her own family were plain, matter-of-fact people who seldom aimed at wit of any kind; her father, at the utmost, being contented with a pun, and her mother with a proverb; they were not in the habit therefore of telling lies to increase their importance, or of asserting at one moment what they would contradict the next.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Mr. Morse spoke briskly, in matter-of-fact, businesslike tones.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"We haven't met for many years," said Daisy, her voice as matter-of-fact as it could ever be.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)