valid

[ val-id ]

adjective

1. sound; just; well-founded:

   a valid reason.

2. producing the desired result; effective:

   a valid antidote for gloom.

3. having force, weight, or cogency; authoritative.

   Synonyms: cogent, substantial

4. legally sound, effective, or binding; having legal force:

   a valid contract.

5. Logic. (of an argument) so constructed that if the premises are jointly asserted, the conclusion cannot be denied without contradiction.

   Synonyms: convincing, logical

6. Archaic. robust; well; healthy.

valid

/ ˈvælɪd; vəˈlɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having some foundation; based on truth
2. legally acceptable

   a valid licence

3. 1. having legal force; effective
   2. having legal authority; binding
4. having some force or cogency

   a valid point in a debate

5. logic (of an inference or argument) having premises and conclusion so related that whenever the former are true the latter must also be true, esp ( formally valid ) when the inference is justified by the form of the premises and conclusion alone. Thus Tom is a bachelor; therefore Tom is unmarried is valid but not formally so, while today is hot and dry; therefore today is hot is formally valid Compare invalid 2
6. archaic.
   healthy or strong

Derived Forms

• validity, noun
• ˈvalidly, adverb

Other Words From

• valid·ly adverb
• valid·ness noun
• non·valid adjective
• non·valid·ly adverb
• non·valid·ness noun
• pre·valid adjective
• pre·valid·ly adverb
• quasi-valid adjective
• quasi-valid·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of valid¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin validus “strong,” from val(ēre) “to be strong” + -idus -id ⁴; prevail ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of valid¹

C16: from Latin validus robust, from valēre to be strong

Example Sentences

The judge ruled that he had 14 days to file a writ of habeas corpus to determine whether the state’s detention was valid; if approved, a new hearing would be scheduled.

From Los Angeles Times

She was nine years old and she had a valid U.S. passport, for crying out loud.

From Salon

At this year's Tory conference in Birmingham, she made headlines with a claim that not all cultures were "equally valid".

From BBC

I had made a lot of safety assumptions that weren’t valid.

From Los Angeles Times

There are valid alternatives to getting a four-year degree, but for the U.S. to thrive and for students to be all they can be, the emphasis on college should remain.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• binding
• compelling
• conclusive
• credible
• good
• lawful
• legal
• legitimate
• logical
• original
• persuasive
• solid
• true
• well-founded