factoid

American  

[fak-toid] / ˈfæk tɔɪd /

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.

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factoid British  

/ ˈfæktɔɪd /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• factoidal adjective

Etymology

Origin of factoid

First recorded in 1973; fact + -oid

Example Sentences

For me it was this tiny factoid: Douglas Kelley, the psychiatrist, was also an amateur magician.

From Los Angeles Times

Students no longer read through every available factoid on, say, Walmart’s wages for hourly workers and write a memo—tasks that can be easily circumvented with generative AI tools.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now subtract a significant number of historical factoids and add in some real ghosts — or at least a few tricks of the light and convincing actors.

From Los Angeles Times

Consequently, the factoid has served as fuel for the longstanding California debate of “who is to blame for our wildfire problem?” while providing little insight for forest managers hoping to address it.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's just a weird little factoid about our community," she said.

From BBC