Science Fiction is an adventure, mystery, drama (heck, any genere) that has some basis in a scientific fact or wild theory (faster that light space travel is a great example). The level of research, or reality towards the science determines what kind of science fiction it is. For example, Star Wars uses a few facts (or crazy theories if you prefer), such as the idea of FTL travel through "hyperspace"; but since it's all pretty improbable, star wars type stuff is considered "space opera". Just unplug your analytical mind and watch the pretty lightsabers.

If the science is sound and well-researched, like some of Ben Bova's (one example, there are many other authors) writing, than it's considered "hard" science fiction and calls on a broad knowledge base of popular science. Knowing a little bit about the physics or chemistry (or history sometimes) helps you appreciate and enjoy this kind of science fiction.

A catch all word to describe anything that is basic, uncool or untrendy. According to The New York Times, "cheugy (pronounced chew-gee) can be used, broadly, to describe someone who is out of date or trying too hard."

Things that are cheugy:

The New York Times
PT Cruisers
Goldendoodles

Australians

Addison Rae
White people
Billionaires

The person writing this definition

science fiction creates our contemporary metaphors, whereas fantasy literature perpetuates medieval metaphors.

Also known as Sci Fi.

An elaborate, suspenseful, and sometimes well-written fairy tale that typically focuses on paranormal events, aliens, technology, futuristic visions, space exploration, multiple dimensions, genetics, and other themes which require a good use of logic and scientific theories/facts.

A genre of naturalistic fantasy that usually has no basis whatsoever in scientific fact.