What does verity mean?
Verity is a formal noun meaning the quality of being true, genuine, or accurate. It is often used when discussing the reliability of a statement, belief, historical account, or representation: questions about a claim's verity concern whether it is genuinely true rather than merely plausible or persuasive. The word can also refer to an established truth or, in older and more literary usage, to reality itself. Verity has a serious and authoritative tone and appears especially in formal writing, historical discussion, legal or philosophical language, and the phrase "in verity," meaning "in truth." Although its meaning overlaps with truth and accuracy, verity often emphasizes the status of something as true rather than merely the correctness of a particular measurement. It is related to veracity, which more commonly describes a person's truthfulness, and to the wider Latin root underlying verify and verifiable.
nounThe quality of being true, especially the quality of a statement or belief. In formal and archaic use, it can also mean a true fact or an established truth.
- The quality of being true or accurate.
- A true fact, established truth, or certainty.
- In archaic or formal use, reality or actuality.
"The verity of the account was confirmed by several independent witnesses."
"Historians continue to debate the verity of the account."
"In verity, the report was more reliable than its critics first claimed."
Rare in modern English; commonly used for truths or established facts, especially in literary or philosophical contexts.
"The philosopher spoke of the few verities that survive changing fashions."
Verity shares its root with verify: both words ask whether something can be trusted as true.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does verity come from?
Verity entered English in the late Middle English period from Old French verité, which came from Latin veritas, a noun meaning "truth" and derived from verus, meaning "true." The modern English word preserves the sense of truth or the quality of being true, with older literary uses extending it to reality or actuality. Related English words such as veracity, veridical, and verifiable reflect the same broad Latin root concerning truth or genuineness.
How verity is actually used
Verity is formal and somewhat literary in modern English. It is especially associated with language such as "the verity of" a claim and the somewhat archaic phrase "in verity," meaning "in truth." The plural "verities" is uncommon.
Easily confused with verity
Verity refers chiefly to truth or the quality of being true, whereas veracity more often describes a person's habit of telling the truth.
Verity concerns what is true or genuine, while reality concerns what actually exists or happens, including things that may not be explicitly verified.