Did You Know?
"Fictitious" is related to the Latin word "ficticius," meaning "artificial" or "feigned." It was first used in English as an antonym for "natural." For instance, a fake diamond would be referred to as a fictitious one. This use indicates the word's deeper Latin roots. "Ficticius" is from Latin "fingere," meaning "to shape, form, or devise." Nowadays, "fictitious" is no longer used for physical things shaped by the human hand. Rather, it is typically used for imaginative creations or for feigned emotions.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.