veracity

noun

ve·​rac·​i·​ty və-ˈra-sə-tē 

plural veracities

1

: conformity with truth or fact : accuracy

2

: devotion to the truth : truthfulness

3

: power of conveying or perceiving truth

4

: something true

makes lies sound like veracities

Did you know?

Veracity has been a part of English since the early 17th century, and we can honestly tell you that it derives from the Latin adjective vērāx ("truthful"), which in turn comes from the earlier vērus ("true"). Vērus also gives us verity ("the quality of being true"), verify ("to establish the truth of"), and verisimilitude ("the appearance of truth"), among other words. In addition, vērāx is the root of the word veraciousness, a somewhat rarer synonym and cousin of veracity.

Synonyms

• honesty
• integrity
• probity
• truthfulness
• verity

Examples of veracity in a Sentence

What gives the book its integrity are the simplicity and veracity of these recipes and the small touches—bits of history, discovery and personal reflection. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 1998

The trial began with a flurry of motions and questions challenging the judge's authority and veracity. The defendants earlier had called the judge's authority into question when jurors were selected two weeks ago. —Chris Bird, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Jan. 1996

… some documentary photographers supported the photographer's right to find essential rather than literal truths in any situation, while others … insisted on absolute veracity, maintaining that for images to be true to both medium and event, situations should be found, not reenacted. —Naomi Rosenblum, A World History of Photography, 1989

We questioned the veracity of his statements.

The jury did not doubt the veracity of the witness.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Gable and Young never acknowledged the rumors or addressed their veracity. —Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2024

At Swarovski, which launched its Created Diamonds range—also grown entirely with renewable energy—in the UK this month, following success in the USA, China, and Japan, each stone comes complete with a microscopic laser inscription to attest to its veracity. —Chris Hall, WIRED, 18 July 2024

Although the veracity of the biological warfare allegations continues to be debated, compelling evidence suggests that the charges were fabricated as part of a concerted propaganda campaign. —Robert Peckham, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2020

The judge’s letter did not comment on the veracity of the post. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 8 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin vērācitāt-, vērācitās, from Latin vērāc-, vērāx "truthful" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at very entry 2

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

veracity

noun

ve·​rac·​i·​ty və-ˈras-ət-ē 

plural veracities

1

: devotion to the truth : truthfulness

questioned the veracity of the witness

2

: agreement with truth or fact

described it with veracity