veritable

adjective

ver·​i·​ta·​ble ˈver-ə-tə-bəl 

: being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary

—often used to stress the aptness of a metaphor

a veritable mountain of references

veritableness noun

veritably

ˈver-ə-tə-blē 

adverb

Did you know?

Veritable, like its close relative verity ("truth"), came to English through Anglo-French from Latin. It is ultimately derived from verus, the Latin word for "true," which also gave us verify, aver, and verdict. Veritable is often used as a synonym of genuine or authentic ("a veritable masterpiece"), but it is also frequently used to stress the aptness of a metaphor, often in a humorous tone ("a veritable swarm of lawyers"). In the past, usage commentators have objected to the latter use, but today it doesn't draw much criticism.

Examples of veritable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyone who has been part of an organization that suffered a ransomware attack will attest that the time frame from attack to resolution is fraught with anxiety and uncertainty, turning stakeholder communication during this time into a veritable minefield. —Sandra Pretorius, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Being able to get this one for 61% off is a veritable early Black Friday steal. —Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Consumers are sheltered in a fragmented media environment, a veritable choose-your-own-adventure world, where comforting data is at their fingertips at all times. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024

Figures, in fact, like Winthrop, who were crucial and more influential than has been supposed in the gestation of this city on a hill, this veritable republic of magic, this Occult States of America. —Ed Simon, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "reliable, honest, true, factual," borrowed from Anglo-French (continental Old French, "real, true"), from verité "truth, verity" + -able -able

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

veritable

adjective

ver·​i·​ta·​ble ˈver-ət-ə-bəl 

: actual, true

—often used to stress the appropriateness of a metaphor

a veritable mountain of papers

veritably

-blē 

adverb