veritable

adjective

ver·​i·​ta·​ble ˈver-ə-tə-bəl How to pronounce veritable (audio)
Synonyms of veritablenext
: being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary
often used to stress the aptness of a metaphor
a veritable mountain of references
veritableness noun
veritably adverb

Did you know?

Veritable, like its close relative verity (“truth”), came to English through Anglo-French from Latin. Its ultimate source is the adjective vērus, meaning “true,” which also gave English verify, aver, and verdict. Veritable is often used as a synonym of genuine or authentic (“a veritable masterpiece”), but it is also frequently used to stress the aptness of a metaphor, often with a humorous tone (“a veritable swarm of lawyers”). In the past, language commentators objected to the latter use, but today it doesn’t draw much criticism.

Examples of veritable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There were so many people living in the city, a veritable world of men and women. Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026 Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge has long been synonymous with Dollywood and all things Dolly Parton, a native Tennessean and veritable icon. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026 Joined by Russell’s widow Lisi, British film historian Mark Kermode introduced the Director’s Cut to a veritable who’s who of movie critics, plus special guest Peter Jackson. Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 May 2026 Add to this the onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years and the impact that tools such as large language models (LLMs) have had on the field of marketing, and you’re faced with a veritable juggling act—one that’s possibly never moved so fast in the whole history of the discipline. Emma Westley, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for veritable

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "reliable, honest, true, factual," borrowed from Anglo-French (continental Old French, "real, true"), from verité "truth, verity" + -able -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of veritable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Veritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veritable. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

veritable

adjective
ver·​i·​ta·​ble ˈver-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce veritable (audio)
: actual, true
often used to stress the appropriateness of a metaphor
a veritable mountain of papers
veritably adverb

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