What does veridical mean?
Veridical is a formal adjective meaning true, accurate, or faithful to reality. It can describe an account, description, representation, or other evidence that corresponds closely to what actually happened, and it is especially associated with the phrase “veridical dream,” a dream whose content is later realized in waking life. Because the word sounds forceful and precise but is uncommon in ordinary conversation, it is best suited to careful discussion of truthfulness, testimony, perception, or dream interpretation. A veridical account is not merely plausible; it is accurate. The term may suggest exact correspondence rather than a merely sincere speaker, although sincerity is commonly associated with the related word veracious. Learning veridical therefore adds both precision and etymological interest: it comes from Latin roots meaning “true” and “to say,” and ultimately describes language or appearances that speak the truth. In modern prose, it is most natural in formal or specialized contexts, where it distinguishes accurate representation from approximation, fiction, or error.
adjectiveTruthful, accurate, or consistent with reality; prophetic. The word is especially associated with a “veridical dream,” whose content is subsequently realized in waking life.
- Truthful, accurate, or conformable to reality.
- Of a dream or vision: prophetic, with its content subsequently fulfilled.
"The investigator was careful to ensure that her veridical account of the event corresponded exactly to the surviving evidence."
"The archive preserved a veridical record of the ceremony, including the order in which each speaker appeared."
"Her veridical dream anticipated the journey that would bring her back to the house."
Veridical literally means “truth-speaking”: it joins Latin roots meaning “true” and “to say,” and a veridical dream is one that speaks the future.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does veridical come from?
Veridical was borrowed from Latin veridicus, meaning “truthful” or “true,” formed from verus (“true”) and dicere (“to say”). The English adjective was in use by the 17th century and conveyed truthfulness or correspondence with reality. Its relatives veracious, veracity, verity, and veritable preserve the same Latin root for truth, although they developed through distinct suffixes and branches of the language.
Related word forms
How veridical is actually used
Rare, formal, and chiefly literary or scholarly; in everyday use, “accurate” or “truthful” is usually clearer.
Easily confused with veridical
Veridical describes something such as an account or dream as true or accurate, whereas veracious usually describes a person as habitually truthful.