veritable
adjective
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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
Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
British sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is the veritable foundation stone necessary to effectively achieve its defense purposes.
—Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
Interspersed among them were the visitors staying at the piazzetta’s alberghi in town, here for a spritz or Negroni; or the Instagrammers with Airbnbs in nearby Parragi, taking selfies at the outdoor restaurant, La Terraza—their ultimate goal after hiking to the summit of this veritable Olympus.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Spicy Lamb-Miso-Cumin Ramen is killer, Kani Tantanmen will please snow-crab lovers and A5 Wagyu aburasoba (brothless ramen) is a veritable buffet of rare steak.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Veritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veritable. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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