Meanings
nounfudge factor (plural fudge factors)
plural fudge factors
- idiomaticengineeringA quantity introduced to compensate for uncertainty.
We don't know exactly how much the load will weigh, so we'll add in a fudge factor to make sure we don't underestimate.
- idiomaticAny padding or compensation built into a guess or estimate.
- alternativeidiomaticvariant of "pucker factor", meaning something is/was frightening.
Synonyms & antonyms
nouna quantity that is added or subtracted in order to increase the accuracy of a scientific measure
Similar
Broader
indefinite quantity
Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
APA
fudge factor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fudge%20factor
MLA
“fudge factor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fudge%20factor. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fudge factor,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fudge%20factor.
Source: fudge factor on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.