Fact vs. Myth: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A fact is a statement proven to be true, whereas a myth is a traditional story or belief, often unfounded or false.
Key Differences
A fact represents information backed by evidence, and its truth can be verified through observation or research. Conversely, a myth often stems from cultural narratives or ancient lore and lacks empirical evidence.
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Facts are objective and remain consistent regardless of belief or opinion, while myths are subjective and can vary widely across cultures and time periods.
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In science and academia, facts are crucial for building knowledge and understanding, whereas myths are more associated with literature, religion, and folklore, serving to explain phenomena or teach moral lessons.
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The acceptance of a fact is based on its alignment with reality, as determined through scientific methods or historical records. Myths, however, are often accepted based on tradition and their cultural or emotional significance.
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Facts are integral to logical reasoning and decision-making, providing a reliable foundation. Myths, while not factually accurate, play a significant role in shaping cultural identity and values.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Formation
Based on empirical evidence and observation.
Based on cultural stories, legends, or spiritual beliefs.
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Role in Knowledge
Contributes to factual understanding and education.
Offers insights into cultural, moral, and historical perspectives.
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Verifiability
Can be proven or disproven through research and data.
Not subject to factual verification; often symbolic or allegorical.
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Influence on Society
Used in decision-making, policy, and scientific advancement.
Shapes cultural norms, traditions, and artistic expressions.
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Change Over Time
Remains consistent unless disproven by new evidence.
Evolves with cultural changes and reinterpretations.
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Fact and Myth Definitions
Fact
A piece of information presented as having objective reality.
It is a fact that the moon affects Earth's tides.
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Myth
A story embodying the ideals and values of a society or group.
The American Dream is a myth that symbolizes hope and success.
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Fact
A verified or indisputable truth.
The fact that gravity exists is undeniable.
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Myth
An exaggerated or idealized conception of a person or thing.
The myth of the perfect leader is unattainable.
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Fact
An actual event, occurrence, or element of reality.
It is a fact that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
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Myth
A traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon.
The myth of Icarus warns about the perils of overambition.
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Fact
A detail known to be true based on evidence or experience.
It's a fact that honey never spoils.
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Myth
A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that serves as a fundamental type in the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society
The myth of Eros and Psyche.
A creation myth.
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Fact
Knowledge or information based on real occurrences
An account based on fact.
A blur of fact and fancy.
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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.
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Myth
A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal
A star whose fame turned her into a myth.
The pioneer myth of suburbia.
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Myth
A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.
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Fact
Something believed to be true or real
A document laced with mistaken facts.
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Myth
A fictitious story, person, or thing
"German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff).
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Fact
A thing that has been done, especially a crime
An accessory before the fact.
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Myth
A traditional story which embodies a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; a sacred narrative regarding a god, a hero, the origin of the world or of a people, etc.
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Fact
(Law) A conclusion drawn by a judge or jury from the evidence in a case
A finding of fact.
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Myth
(uncountable) Such stories as a genre.
Myth was the product of man's emotion and imagination, acted upon by his surroundings. (E. Clodd, Myths & Dreams (1885), 7, cited after OED)
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Fact
Something actual as opposed to invented.
In this story, the Gettysburg Address is a fact, but the rest is fiction.
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Myth
A commonly-held but false belief, a common misconception; a fictitious or imaginary person or thing; a popular conception about a real person or event which exaggerates or idealizes reality.
Scientists debunk the myth that gum stays in the human stomach for seven years.
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Myth
A person or thing held in excessive or quasi-religious awe or admiration based on popular legend
Father Flanagan was legendary, his institution an American myth. (Tucson (Arizona) Citizen, 20 September 1979, 5A/3, cited after OED)
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Fact
Something concrete used as a basis for further interpretation.
Let's look at the facts of the case before deciding.
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Myth
A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.
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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.
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Fact
Information about a particular subject, especially actual conditions and/or circumstances.
The facts about space travel.
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Myth
A story of great but unknown age which originally embodied a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience, and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul are personified; an ancient legend of a god, a hero, the origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of prehistoric origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received as historical.
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Fact
(databases) An individual value or measurement at the lowest level of granularity in a data warehouse.
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Myth
A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose actual existence is not verifiable.
As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been myths these twenty years.
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Myth
A traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
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Fact
A wrongful or criminal deed.
He had become an accessory after the fact.
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Myth
A widely held but false belief or idea.
The myth that bats are blind is not true.
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Myth
A fictitious or imaginary person or thing.
Dragons are a popular myth in many cultures.
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Fact
A doing, making, or preparing.
A project for the fact and vendingOf a new kind of fucus, paint for ladies.
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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.
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Fact
Reality; actuality; truth; as, he, in fact, excelled all the rest; the fact is, he was beaten.
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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.
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Fact
A piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred;
First you must collect all the facts of the case
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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
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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
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Fact
A concept whose truth can be proved;
Scientific hypotheses are not facts
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Fact
A statement that can be proven to be true.
The Earth revolves around the Sun is a scientific fact.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can myths contain truth?
Myths may contain elements of truth, but they are primarily symbolic or allegorical.
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Can a fact change over time?
Yes, a fact can change if new evidence or research disproves it.
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What is a myth?
A myth is a traditional story or belief, often with no factual basis, used to explain natural phenomena or cultural practices.
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Why do myths vary across cultures?
Myths reflect the values, history, and beliefs of different cultures.
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Is scientific theory a fact?
Scientific theories are well-substantiated explanations but are open to revision or rejection based on new evidence.
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How are facts verified?
Facts are verified through empirical evidence, research, and scientific methods.
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What defines a fact?
A fact is a statement or assertion that can be proven true based on evidence or reality.
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Are facts always true?
Facts are considered true based on current knowledge and evidence.
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Can a myth become a fact?
No, a myth remains a narrative or belief; it does not become a fact even if widely accepted.
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What role do myths play in society?
Myths shape cultural norms, values, and artistic expressions.
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Do facts vary by culture?
Facts are objective and do not vary by culture, though their interpretation might.
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Are all historical accounts considered facts?
Not all; historical accounts can be biased or incomplete, and require critical evaluation.
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Can a myth be based on a historical event?
Yes, some myths are rooted in historical events but embellished or altered significantly.
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What is the difference between a myth and a legend?
A legend is often rooted in historical fact but embellished over time, while a myth is primarily a traditional story with symbolic meaning.
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Are myths important?
Yes, myths play a crucial role in cultural identity and conveying moral lessons.
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Can a fact be subjective?
Facts are objective and not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
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Do myths have a place in education?
Yes, in teaching about culture, literature, and moral values.
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How do facts impact decision-making?
Facts provide a reliable foundation for informed and rational decision-making.
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Are facts influenced by beliefs?
Facts should remain independent of beliefs, as they are based on evidence and reality.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is mythology still relevant today?
Yes, mythology remains relevant in understanding cultural heritage and human psychology.
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Nov 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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