verisimilitude
Americannoun
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the appearance or semblance of truth; genuineness; authenticity.
The play lacked verisimilitude.
-
something, as an assertion, having merely the appearance of truth.
noun
-
the appearance or semblance of truth or reality; quality of seeming true
-
something that merely seems to be true or real, such as a doubtful statement
Etymology
Origin of verisimilitude
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin vērīsimilitūdō, equivalent to vērī (genitive singular of vērum “truth”) + similitūdō similitude
Explanation
Verisimilitude means being believable, or having the appearance of being true. You can improve your play by using the sounds and smells of the beach as well as lots of sand to create verisimilitude. Verisimilitude comes from the Latin verisimilitudo, "likeness to truth" and is used to describe stories. In it, you'll see the word similar, meaning it is similar to what's real. Art that aims for realism seeks verisimilitude. An actual synonym for verisimilitude is truthlikeness. Tell that to your friends, and they'll probably think that your story lacks verisimilitude.
Vocabulary lists containing verisimilitude
Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - Advanced
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Reading: Literature - Literary Devices & Figures of Speech - High School
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And Then There Were None
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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.
Verisimilitude is critical: White House letterheads, government fonts, official document formatting and style.
From The New Yorker • May 22, 2017
Verisimilitude is hardly the name of the game here.
From The Guardian • Nov. 2, 2016
Verisimilitude broke down, however, when it came to underclothes.
From New York Times • Jul. 18, 2014
Verisimilitude is not the only thing at stake.
From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2011
Verisimilitude, and not fact, is therefore the test of poetry.
From A History of Literary Criticism in the Renaissance With special reference to the influence of Italy in the formation and development of modern classicism by Spingarn, Joel Elias
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.
