factoid

noun

fac·​toid ˈfak-ˌtȯid 

1

: an invented fact believed to be true because it appears in print

2

: a briefly stated and usually trivial fact

Did you know?

Did you know that Norman Mailer coined the word factoid?

In his 1973 book Marilyn (about Marilyn Monroe), Norman Mailer describes factoids as "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." Mailer's use of the -oid suffix (which traces back to the ancient Greek word eidos, meaning "appearance" or "form") follows in the pattern of humanoid: just as a humanoid appears to be human but is not, a factoid appears to be factual but is not. The word has since evolved so that now it most often refers to things that decidedly are facts, just not ones that are significant.

Examples of factoid in a Sentence

The book is really just a collection of interesting factoids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some other factoids about overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs: Periods begin with a faceoff at center ice. —Rob Rossi, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Interesting factoid #4: There are more people collecting Social Security benefits today (57.3 million) than there were in the entire labor force 90 years ago. —Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

The perfect, humanizing factoid to draw chuckles from reporters and likes on social media. —Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Hagen shares factoids and stories about where the Eras Tour ringleader has frequented, dined and been seen out with friends. —Bryan West, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fact + -oid entry 1

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for factoid

• anaphylactoid

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Kids Definition

factoid

noun

fac·​toid ˈfak-ˌtȯid 

1

: a made-up piece of information thought to be true due to its appearance in print

2

: a brief often trivial news item