veracity

IPA/vəˈræsəti/
KK[vɚˈæsɪti]IPA/vəˈræsəti/

veracity — noun

1. how true, honest, and accurate a statement, account, or person is — the quality

1.nounC1
Definition

how true, honest, and accurate a statement, account, or person is — the quality that makes something worth believing or trusting.

Example

The journalist checked the veracity of Rania's story before publishing it.

check + the veracity of + [story/claim]

After the video appeared, the veracity of Apinya's statement was proven in court.

passive: the veracity of [noun] was proven

Common collocations
  • doubt the veracity of
  • question the veracity of
  • check the veracity of
  • confirm the veracity of
  • prove the veracity of
  • the veracity of a claim/statement/report/testimony/account
Synonyms
  • truthfulness

    Everyday equivalent; 'veracity' is noticeably more formal.

  • honesty

    Focuses on personal character and integrity, whereas 'veracity' emphasises factual accuracy.

  • accuracy

    Refers to precision or correctness of details, not moral truthfulness.

  • authenticity

    Describes whether something is genuine or original, not whether its claims are true.

Antonyms
  • falsehood

    Direct opposite — a false statement or the quality of being untrue.

  • dishonesty

    Opposite in terms of personal character and intent to deceive.

Grammar Patterns

the veracity of + noun phrase

doubt/question/check/confirm + the veracity of

Usage Note

In everyday conversation, speakers usually prefer 'truthfulness' or 'honesty'. 'Veracity' is reserved for formal writing, journalism, law, and academic contexts.

Common Mistakes

The veracity of the study was honest.
The study's veracity was confirmed by independent researchers.
'veracity' is a quality of truthfulness, not a synonym for 'honest' describing a person.
I trust his veracity. He is a very veracity person.
I trust his veracity. He is a very truthful person.
'veracity' is a noun; there is no adjective form 'veracity'.

Word family

  • veracious
    adjectiveC2
  • veraciously
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Veracity', 'truthfulness', 'honesty', 'accuracy', and 'authenticity' all relate to something being 'true', but differ in scope and context. 'Veracity' (formal) covers both factual accuracy and personal truthfulness — a 'report with veracity' is factually correct, while a 'person of veracity' is habitually honest. 'Truthfulness' is the everyday equivalent for both meanings. 'Honesty' centres on character and intention rather than factual precision; an 'honest mistake' is still a mistake. 'Accuracy' is narrower — it measures correctness of details (numbers, dates, statements), not moral truth. 'Authenticity' asks whether something is genuine or original, not whether its content is true; an 'authentic painting' may depict a fictional scene. Example: 'The historian questioned the veracity of the diary but never doubted its authenticity — the handwriting was clearly from the 18th century, yet the events described could not be confirmed.'

truthfulness ↗honesty ↗accuracy ↗authenticity ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • doubt the veracity of
  • question the veracity of
  • check the veracity of
  • confirm the veracity of
  • prove the veracity of
  • the veracity of a claim / statement / report / testimony / account

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'vērāx' ('truthful', from 'vērus' 'true') plus the noun suffix '-ity' (forming abstract nouns). Entered English in the early 17th century, first used to describe personal truthfulness and later extended to the accuracy of statements and information.

First known use

1614

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 2