factitious

Definitions

Straight from Latin facticius 'made by art' — fac (make) + the adjective ending. If something is factitious, it was deliberately manufactured rather than arising naturally. Note: factitious means 'made-up/artificial,' not 'full of facts.'

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The company created factitious demand by spreading rumors of a shortage.

• 2.

  Doctors diagnosed a factitious disorder, where she faked symptoms for attention.

Easily Confused

factitious vs fictitious — factitious = artificially made/contrived (factitious demand). fictitious = made up, imaginary, not real (a fictitious name). They look alike and overlap on 'fake,' but factitious stresses deliberate manufacture, fictitious stresses pure invention/fiction.