Words / C2

v-uh-RAS-uh-tee/vəˈræsəti/

Veracity is the quality of being true, or of telling the truth: the veracity of a claim, no one doubted her veracity. Truth is everyday; truthfulness is closer for a person’s habit; accuracy is about precision of detail. Veracious is a rare adjective, and the noun is legal, academic, and slightly stiff. In speech, whether it is true or honesty is enough — it is not a fancy word for voracity (greed).

Meaning

The quality of being true or of telling the truth (formal).

Examples

• “The veracity of the witness was never in doubt.”
• “The inquiry tested the veracity of the minutes against the recording.”
• “I do not doubt his veracity, only his memory of the dates.”

Good to know

Truth / truthfulness (formal). Everyday: truth / honesty. Close: accuracy (detail). Not voracity (greed).

Near in meaning

truthfulness

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