Words / C2

fak-TISH-uh-s/fækˈtɪʃəs/

Factitious means artificially created or developed; not genuine (formal): a factitious demand, factitious cheer. Fake (already in the dictionary) is everyday not genuine; artificial (already in the dictionary) is made by people, and spurious (already in the dictionary) is false though it may look genuine — the close twin. Genuine (already in the dictionary) is the everyday opposite. This batch: a simulacrum is an image, often a deceptive copy. A badge does not date a form.

Meaning

Artificially created or developed; not genuine (formal).

Examples

• “A factitious “world-leading” badge does not date the ethics form.”
• “Fake is not genuine (already in B1). Artificial is made by people, or not sincere (already in B2). Spurious is false though it looks genuine (already in C2). Genuine is real and true (already in B1) — the contrast. A simulacrum is an image, often a deceptive copy (this batch). A dated form can still be cheap to file. A badge that never states the date is decoration. Write the date; leave the badge.”

Good to know

Artificial; not genuine (formal). Everyday: fake (already in this dictionary). Close: artificial (already in B2); spurious (already in C2). Contrast: genuine (already in B1). This batch: simulacrum. A badge ≠ a date.

Near in meaning

artificial, spurious, contrived, bogus

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