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

Give your subtopics their own subtopics, digging deep into the depths of the idea itself and producing a veritable spider web of bubbles and creativity. —Sam Adeyemi, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

After a record-breaking year, the Chicago Sky forward has cemented herself as a veritable talent and a rising star. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2024

Kelleher comes to revive you with refreshing juice, an amazing patchwork quilt, a veritable sprawl of gorgeous color. —Kanya Kanchana, Longreads, 15 Oct. 2024

During the postwar period, a veritable library of research has been published on factors that might explain the decline in fertility that picked up pace in the twentieth century. —Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 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