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fudge factor

American  

noun

  1. any variable component added to an experiment, plan, or the like that can be manipulated to allow leeway for error.


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.

That solution is anathema to cosmologists because it is simply a fudge factor that does not explain where dark energy comes from and why it has that value.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 21, 2023

You could add a fudge factor to account for future inflation, which is, unfortunately, unpredictable.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2022

That something was a fudge factor added to the equations Einstein called the cosmological constant.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2015

That’s why, at the beginning of these things, they all have this huge fudge factor, and that’s why they hate the pledge.

From Slate • Nov. 27, 2012

See frobnicate and fudge factor; also see shotgun debugging.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.