Factor Meaning
/ˈfæk.təː/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA doer, maker; a person who does things for another person or organization.
nounAn agent or representative; a reseller or distributor (sometimes with a private label); a consignee.
Sentence Examples
What factor contributed to the reaction?
When applying to American universities, your TOEFL score is only one factor.
Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The main ____ determining her success was consistent daily practice.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cost was the main ____ in our decision to choose this hotel over the others in the city.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French facteur, from Latin factor (“a doer, maker, performer”), from factus (“done or made”), perfect passive participle of faciō (“do, make”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"My factor sends me word, a merchant's fled / That owes me for a hundred tun of wine."
— c. 1589–1590 (date written), Christopher Marlo[we], edited by Tho[mas] Heywood, The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Iew of Malta. […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Nicholas Vavasour, […], published 1633, →OCLC, (please specify the page):
"And let such as will number the Kings of Castile and Portugall amongst the warlike and magnanimous conquerors, seeke for some other adherent then my selfe, forsomuch as twelve hundred leagues from their idle residence they have made themselves masters of both Indias, onely by the conduct and direction of their factors, of whom it would be knowne whether they durst but goe and enjoy them in person."
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 21, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
"What does he therefore, but resolvs to give over toyling, and to find himself out som factor, to whose care and credit he may commit the whole managing of his religious affairs; som Divine of note and estimation that must be."
— 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica; a Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England, London: [s.n.], →OCLC:
"Motor factors — Good factors will stock all of the more important components which wear out relatively quickly."
— 1985, Haynes Owners Workshop Manual, BMW:
"1864-1898, Herbert Spencer, Principles of Biology
the material and dynamical factors of nutrition"
—
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The main ____ determining her success was consistent daily practice.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cost was the main ____ in our decision to choose this hotel over the others in the city.