factor
Americannoun
-
one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation.
Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.
-
Mathematics. one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor.
6 and 3 are factors of 18.
-
Biochemistry. any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, especially those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
-
a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
-
a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
-
an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
-
a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
-
Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.
verb (used with object)
-
Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 235, or x 2 − y 2 = (x +y ) (x − y ).
-
to act as a factor for.
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
noun
-
an element or cause that contributes to a result
-
maths
-
one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial
2 and 3 are factors of 6
-
an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial
1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6
-
-
(foll by identifying numeral) med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood
factor VIII
-
a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another
-
commerce a business that makes loans in return for or on security of trade debts
-
former name for a gene
-
commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage
-
(in Scotland) the manager of an estate
verb
-
One of two or more numbers or expressions that are multiplied to obtain a given product. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6, and a + b and a − b are factors of a 2 − b 2.
-
A substance found in the body, such as a protein, that is essential to a biological process. For example, growth factors are needed for proper cell growth and development.
Usage
Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
factorabilitynoun
-
factorshipnoun
-
subfactornoun
-
underfactornoun
-
factorableadjective
-
unfactorableadjective
-
unfactoredadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
factorsimple
-
factorssimple
-
have factoredperfect
-
has factoredperfect
-
am factoringprogressive
-
are factoringprogressive
-
is factoringprogressive
-
have been factoringperfect progressive
-
has been factoringperfect progressive
Past
-
factoredsimple
-
had factoredperfect
-
was factoringprogressive
-
were factoringprogressive
-
had been factoringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of factor
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r, from Latin factor “maker, perpetrator,” equivalent to fac(ere) “to make, do” + -tor agent noun suffix; see -tor
Explanation
A factor is a part or element that contributes to a result. If you only fly budget airlines and refuse to stay anywhere but youth hostels, then money is probably a big factor in your travel plans. The word factor doubles as both noun and verb. A factor is an element that influences something, like many factors that contribute to global warming. To factor means to consider something relevant when making a decision or conclusion, like factoring in the weather and traffic when figuring out how long the drive will be. And if it's not relevant? Then you factor it out.
Vocabulary lists containing factor
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Make Do: Fac
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Women tend to live longer than men and age is the biggest risk factor for the fatal disease.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
In some cities that are losing kids, the falling birthrate is a bigger factor in the drop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
The research focuses on hepatocyte growth factor, or HGF, a protein that helps initiate the repair of skeletal muscle.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026
The gash on her forehead was determined to be superficial and not a contributing factor in her death.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Given the high visibility factor, every designer in the world wants to dress me for my grand-jury appearance.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
That didn’t happen to Solyndra, which ended up going under due to foreign competition and other factors.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Weak balance sheets, high-beta growth, and low quality earnings factors started to underperform even as the S&P 500 advanced and growth strengthened,” they said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and sunlight can increase DNA damage.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026
There are other, legal factors making the sport faster, advancements in technology, training and, notably but unglamorously, in-competition nutrition.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
The index is supposed to keep the world free from cultural and genetic bias, but aren’t there underlying factors that we can’t escape?
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
In 2019, a small but potent show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art explored the ways in which her drawing process factored into her assemblage work.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
These results were more overt when the analysts factored in class and status dynamics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
He added: "In targeting a small minority of properties, the revenues these new bands would bring in won't touch the sides, and that's before the administrative costs are factored in."
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
The efficient-markets hypothesis, developed decades ago by economists at the University of Chicago, stipulates that all available information is already factored into the market price.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026
Geeks keep their computers on round-the-clock and often work irregular hours, in part because Web-surfing, software trading, and collecting and ICQ and Hotline messaging are factored in.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
Skogmo estimated major expenses like game tickets, airfare and lodging have already cost the group up to $5,000 — even before factoring in food and drinks.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 24, 2026
This capability has been showcased in a research setting before, though only by factoring small numbers.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
Morningstar raises its fair-value estimate for SK Telecom ADRs to $44.70 from $35.00, factoring in a 50% discount for capital gains tax on sale and illiquidity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026
Markets have reacted to these events by factoring in higher inflation and borrowing costs, and those factors have led to a global rollercoaster on bond markets.
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
I’m really not in the mood to divvy up everything into eleven equal parts, factoring in age, body weight, and physical output.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
