mat·ter-of-fact

(măt′ər-əv-făkt′)

adj.

1. Relating or adhering to facts; literal.

2. Straightforward or unemotional: "the matter-of-fact tones in which the local guides describe the history of the various places" (New York Times).

mat′ter-of-fact′ly adv.

mat′ter-of-fact′ness n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

matter-of-factly

adv

in a matter-of-fact manner

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Translations

matter-of-factly

adv say, answer → nüchtern, sachlich; explain → sachlich; I hated her, he said matter-of-factly → ich habe sie gehasst, sagte er nüchtern

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Mentioned in

practically

References in classic literature

Instead, as quietly and matter-of-factly as she had filled her dead mother's place in the home while her brothers and sisters were growing up, Rose stepped into her father's business, took over the editorship and with a boy to do the typesetting and presswork, continued the paper without missing an issue.

View in context

"Oh we know everything is bugged," came the reply matter-of-factly. "We sweep the place periodically, find the hidden recorders, and get rid of them.

surface of the Hungarian hospitality reporters enjoyed

It dumbs down nothing, with suicide, race, homophobia, abuse, disability, incarceration, police brutality and homelessness recounted matter-of-factly, and in a way that's accessible, however old the reader.

CHILDREN'S books of the week

'Defense,' Lassiter said matter-of-factly moments after the Beermen dropped a 108-98 defeat to Rain Or Shine on Friday night.

Just a little more effort can cure slow SMB start, says gunner Lassiter

Rembert presents his narrative matter-of-factly as he documents a penal practice; in a slightly more distant past, this would have been a chore for slaves.

For I was in prison

first said he knew about the meeting, then said it was about adoption of Russian children, and, most recently, stated matter-of-factly that it had indeed been about getting shmutz on Hillary.

Got Shmutz?

From this time on, I drunk so I could die, Chris said matter-of-factly. RECOVERYbrDoctors advised him to stop, but he just could not.

Fighting addiction one step at a time

Hot on the heels of New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern, she announced very matter-of-factly that she'd be off work for a few months, would share her maternity leave with her partner and then get straight back to it.

Ruth sets right tone for families

"I've had worse," he said matter-of-factly of the attack, feeling the swollen skin.

Benefits Street TV star Fungi beaten up and left for dead

"Everybody in this gym knows we're world class now, just like Australia is," he said matter-of-factly.

Gilas now a world-class squad, says Norwood

Delle Donne's accomplishments are recounted in this memoir, which has an inspirational tone and message for anyone who feels "different." She matter-of-factly addresses her same-sex relationship.

Delle Donne, Elena. My Shot: Balancing It All and Standing Tall

Nora is bored, 'There's nothing to do here' she matter-of-factly complains but even as she utters the words the reader's eye is drawn to the distinctly jungle-y looking garden glinting with promise behind her.

Stewart, Lizzy: There's a Tiger in the Garden