verisimilitude

[ ver-uh-si-mil-i-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. the appearance or semblance of truth; genuineness; authenticity:

   The play lacked verisimilitude.

2. something, as an assertion, having merely the appearance of truth.

verisimilitude

/ ˌvɛrɪsɪˈmɪlɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. the appearance or semblance of truth or reality; quality of seeming true
2. something that merely seems to be true or real, such as a doubtful statement

Word History and Origins

Origin of verisimilitude¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin vērīsimilitūdō, equivalent to vērī (genitive singular of vērum “truth”) + similitūdō similitude

Word History and Origins

Origin of verisimilitude¹

C17: from Latin vērisimilitūdō, from vērus true + similitūdō similitude

Example Sentences

That knowledge adds additional layers of defiance and bravery to this grim tale, which incorporates actual protest footage and video of police brutality to amplify the narrative’s verisimilitude.

From Los Angeles Times

The resulting authenticity passed the verisimilitude test with flying colors.

From Los Angeles Times

In a break with verisimilitude, to say nothing of decorum, Beckett storms the stage, grabs the check and starts noisily climbing the side wall to escape public scrutiny.

From Los Angeles Times

Or so it seems — it’s only the halfway mark — as we ping-pong between screenings of revered directors leaping off the deep end, their former penchants for verisimilitude tossed aside.

From Los Angeles Times

For language constructors — conlangers, as they are known — such small touches enhance the verisimilitude of even gigantic edifices like the “Dune” series.

From New York Times

Related Words

• plausibility
• realism