factoid

[ fak-toid ]

noun

1. an insignificant or trivial fact.
2. something fictitious or unsubstantiated that is presented as fact, devised especially to gain publicity and accepted because of constant repetition.

factoid

/ ˈfæktɔɪd /

noun

1. a piece of unreliable information believed to be true because of the way it is presented or repeated in print

Other Words From

• fac·toidal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of factoid¹

First recorded in 1973; fact + -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of factoid¹

C20 (coined by Norman Mailer ): from fact + -oid

Example Sentences

In 1999, he also revived his weekday "Steve Wright in the Afternoon" show, featuring celebrity interviews, show business news and "factoids" trivia.

From BBC

I fall into them all the time when some fascinating factoid or tangent captures my interest.

From Seattle Times

They can shine when you’re searching for an obscure factoid, such as, say, a detail about a European Union policy.

From Seattle Times

Each year’s Academy Award nominations arrive with an array of notable firsts and other cool factoids that speed the hearts of Oscar lovers and movie trivia fans everywhere.

From Los Angeles Times

And sometimes, he simply unearths unexpected behind-the-scenes factoids, like a recent thread about the tough-guy exploits of the pioneering pop rapper MC Hammer.

From New York Times