factoid

English - English

Definition of factoid in English English dictionary

An interesting item of trivia

An inaccurate statement or statistic believed to be true because of broad repetition, especially if cited in the media

something resembling a fact; unverified (often invented) information that is given credibility because it appeared in print

a brief (usually one sentence and usually trivial) news item something resembling a fact; unverified (often invented) information that is given credibility because it appeared in print

a brief (usually one sentence and usually trivial) news item

Usage Problem. A small insignificant fact, but still interesting

{i} unproven or untrue piece of information that is presented as fact and is widely believed

Related Terms

factoids

plural of factoid

Etymology

() fact +‎ -oid; coined by Norman Mailer|Norman Mailer]] in Marilyn (1973): "facts which have no existence before appearing in a magazine or newspaper, creations which are not so much lies as a product to manipulate emotion in the Silent Majority".