CultureJuly 15, 2026

veracity

/vəˈræsɪti/

Definition

The quality of being accurate, truthful, or strictly factual.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'verax' (truthful) and 'veritas' (truth), the word entered Middle French before appearing in English in the 17th century to denote adherence to truth.

In the news

While the word 'veracity' does not explicitly appear in the article, the text discusses the 'authentic' voice Mark Twain sought to capture in literature; 'veracity' describes this standard of truthfulness and factual reliability often debated by critics.

The 25 most influential works of American culture

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The Washington Post

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