X factor

American  

[eks fak-ter] / ˈɛks ˌfæk tər /

noun

plural

X factors

1. an essential quality or feature that is difficult to identify or express.

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Example Sentences

Another X factor is the reaction of consumers.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

"He is the X factor of my team. He has been amazing, scoring in every game. Tonight he sent a message to the rest of the side with the way he ran and fought."

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

The X factor right now that’s making people say, “No, this is the one that’s the worst” is the technology has shifted so dramatically.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

"The better you get at set pieces, the more chance you have of winning these big games. It's a big X factor."

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2024

To turn the key in the lock, to open the door, he must change the physical reality to balance the equation, rather than supply the X factor to keep reality unchanged.

From Eight Keys to Eden by Clifton, Mark