Main Entry:

val·id

Pronunciation:

\ˈva-ləd\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French valide, from Medieval Latin validus, from Latin, strong, potent, from valēre

Date:

1571

1: having legal efficacy or force ; especially : executed with the proper legal authority and formalities <a valid contract>2 a: well-grounded or justifiable : being at once relevant and meaningful <a valid theory> b: logically correct <a valid argument> <valid inference>3: appropriate to the end in view : effective <every craft has its own valid methods>4of a taxon : conforming to accepted principles of sound biological classification

— va·lid·i·ty \və-ˈli-də-tē, va-\ noun

— val·id·ly \ˈva-ləd-lē\ adverb

synonyms valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance. valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority <a valid reason for being absent> <a valid marriage>. sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds <a sound proposal for reviving the economy>. cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation <the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury>. convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept <a convincing argument for welfare reform>. telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter <a telling example of bureaucratic waste>.