fictive

adjective

fic·​tive ˈfik-tiv 

1

: not genuine : feigned

2

: of, relating to, or capable of imaginative creation

3

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of fiction : fictional

fictively adverb

fictiveness noun

Examples of fictive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

House Bill 256 expands rights and protections for foster parents, relative caregivers and fictive kin caregivers. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026

There was the coffee table scene, yes, and others, and so a fictive world began to grow out of truth, suggesting other characters, other narrative pressures, other landscapes. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

While most children are placed with relatives or fictive kin when possible, those placements will now be required in emergency situations. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026

The real becomes fake, the fictive authentic. — Elisa Wouk Almino editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin fictīvus "imaginative, imaginary," from Latin fictus, past participle of fingere "to mold, fashion, make a likeness of, pretend to be" + -īvus -ive — more at feign

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fictive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• productive
• reductive
• seductive
• counterproductive