Factor — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈfak-tər/ fac·tor

Meaning & Definition of Factor

Factor (noun)

  1. one who acts or transacts business for another
  2. broker
  3. one that lends money to producers and dealers (as on the security of accounts receivable)

Factor (verb)

  1. to work as a factor
  2. to resolve into factors
  3. to include or admit as a factor —used with in or into

Factor (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who acts or does business for another

    "at the auction the high bidder for the painting was actually a factor for a wealthy art collector"

    similar: agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative
    related: ambassador, diplomat, diplomatist, emissary, foreign minister, legate, plenipotentiary, alternate, backup, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, surrogate, understudy, informer, operative, spy, broker, distributor, manager, arbiter, arbitrator, comprador, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary, interposer, liaison, mediator, middleman, peacemaker, mouthpiece, point man, point person, prophet, speaker, spokesman, spokesperson

  2. one of the parts that make up a whole

    "price was only one factor in my decision to buy the car"

    similar: building block, component, constituent, element, ingredient, member
    related: basis, part and parcel, detail, item, particular, point, aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait, division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment, subcomponent
    opposite: whole
    near: aggregate, composite, compound, mass, entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

Related Entry: Factor (in or into) (verb)

Factor (in or into) is a different word from Factor. The synonyms below are for factor (in or into), not for factor.

  1. to give consideration to (as unexpected circumstances or contingencies)

    "you should factor in inflation in making investment decisions"

    similar: allow (for), consider, provide (for), regard, figure on, reckon with, take account of, take into account
    related: accommodate, adapt, adjust, condition, anticipate, contemplate, envisage, expect, foresee, assume, presume, presuppose, plan, calculate, face
    opposite: discount, disregard
    near: factor (out)

Related Entry: Factor (in or into or out) (verb)

Factor (in or into or out) is a different word from Factor. The synonyms below are for factor (in or into or out), not for factor.

  1. as in allow (for), figure in

    similar: allow (for), deduct, figure in, calibrate, gauge, measure, scale, figure out, solve (for), calculate, cipher, compute, figure, reckon, work out, quantify, quantitate, count, itemize, number, add up, average, sum, tally, total, totalize, add, divide, multiply, subtract, appraise, assess, estimate, evaluate, rate, value, recalculate, recompute, refigure

Related Entry: Factor (out) (verb)

Factor (out) is a different word from Factor. The synonyms below are for factor (out), not for factor.

  1. as in discount, disregard

    similar: discount, disregard
    opposite: allow (for), consider, factor (in or into), provide (for), regard, accommodate, adapt, adjust, condition, anticipate, contemplate, envisage, expect, foresee

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Factor

The most common words with a similar meaning to Factor:

agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative, building block, component, constituent, element, ingredient, member

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Factor

Words with the opposite meaning of Factor:

whole

Related Words for Factor

ambassador, diplomat, diplomatist, emissary, foreign minister, legate, plenipotentiary, alternate, backup, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, surrogate, understudy, informer, operative, spy, broker, distributor, manager, arbiter, arbitrator, comprador, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary

Near Antonyms of Factor

aggregate, composite, compound, mass, entirety, sum, summation, total, totality, admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture

Word Forms of Factor

Inflections: factored, factoring

Derived words: factorship (noun), factorable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Factor

Middle English factour "doer, perpetrator, commercial agent," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin factor "maker, creator, perpetrator" (Medieval Latin, "commercial agent, broker"), from fac-, stem of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do" + -tor, agent suffix fact

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Factor

Words & Phrases Containing Factor

factor analysis, factor VIII, factor V, factor group, factor IX, factor X, antihemophilic factor, chill factor

Frequently Asked Questions about Factor

What does "Factor" mean?

"Factor" means one who acts or transacts business for another. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one who acts or transacts business for another. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Factor"?

Other words for "Factor" include agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy and minister. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Factor" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Factor"?

There are 81 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Factor". Common alternatives include agent, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, minister, procurator and proxy.

What is the opposite of "Factor"?

Antonyms of "Factor" include whole. Near antonyms include aggregate, composite, compound and mass.

How do you use "Factor" in a sentence?

Examples of "Factor" in a sentence: "at the auction the high bidder for the painting was actually a factor for a wealthy art collector"; "price was only one factor in my decision to buy the car".

Is "Factor" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Factor" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Factor" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Factor" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Factor"?

"Factor" is pronounced /ˈfak-tər/ and divided into syllables as fac·tor.