English Explanatory Dictionary

counterfactual

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Contrary to known or agreed facts; untrue.
  2. Of or in comparison to a hypothetical state of the world.
noun
  1. A claim, hypothesis, or other belief that is contrary to the facts.
  2. A hypothetical state of the world, used to assess the impact of an action.
  3. A conditional statement in which the conditional clause is false.

Pronunciation

/ˌkaʊntɚˈfæktʃuəl/ /ˌkaʊn.tə(ɹ)ˈfæk.tʃu.əl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-counterfactual.wav

Word forms

counterfactual counterfactuals

Etymology

From counter- + factual.

Synonyms

contrafactual counterfact misapprehension misconception misunderstanding falsehood misinformation

Related words

alternate history alternate universe alternative fact what if what-if

Derived words

counterfactual conditional counterfactualism counterfactualist counterfactuality counterfactualize counterfactually counterfactualness
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