CultureJuly 19, 2026

verisimilitude

/ˌvɛrɪsɪˈmɪlɪˌtud/

Definition

The appearance of being true, real, or likely within the internal logic of a creative work.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'verus' (true) and 'similis' (similar). It entered English in the early 17th century to describe the quality of realism in art or literature.

In the news

In the article, the author argues that excessive focus on diversity can sometimes break the 'verisimilitude' of films that aim for historical realism, where internal consistency is necessary for the audience to believe in the world being depicted.

‘The Odyssey’ Backlash Is Another Ridiculous Example Of The Culture Wars Placing Politics Above Art

Read the full article ↗

Forbes

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