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
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
But at evanescent moments of geopolitical rupture, when a veritable power vacuum opened in the world order, such otherwise obscure figures could gain sufficient autonomy, often amplified by loose orders and limited oversight, to exercise an outsized influence on the historical process.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Go for the fresh pasta but stay for tiramisu martini at the Italian trattoria Sabatini’s, which is a veritable liquid dessert.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026
The variety and freshness of Rauschenberg’s works at the Nasher provide a veritable garden of delights — admittedly quirky ones at times.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Veritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/veritable. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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