validity
Americannoun
-
the state or quality of being valid.
to question the validity of the argument.
-
legal soundness or force.
Other Word Forms
- nonvalidity noun
- prevalidity noun
Etymology
Origin of validity
First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin validitās; equivalent to valid + -ity
Explanation
When you test something's validity, you see if it holds true. Are these really the best chocolate chip cookies in the world? You might enjoy testing the validity of this statement. The noun validity means genuine or authentic, but it also has a legal meaning: having legal force. Your family asked the judge to determine the validity of your grandfather's will because they weren't sure he was legally allowed to leave all his worldly goods to "the little green men from Mars." Related words include the adjective "valid" and its antonym "invalid," as well as the verb "validate."
Vocabulary lists containing validity
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 7
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As to whether those trying to impeach Boasberg and Boardman have validity, Vladeck said, “They don’t,” adding that assertions of “abuse” against the judges are “not true.”
From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026
There was some validity to this charge, but nearly all treaties have expiration dates or clauses allowing one country or another to withdraw from the deal.
From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026
But in a court filing last week, UBS requested a judge’s order to ban the Simon Wiesenthal Center and other Jewish groups that participated in the settlement from questioning the settlement’s validity.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026
This debut novel gives an important role to the Rev. Morris Green, a devout Lutheran who has begun to question the meaning of the universe and the validity of his own spiritual authority.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
The stars, the black skies affirm his humanity, his validity as a human being.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
