validity

/vəˈlɪdɪɾi/
/vəˈlɪdɪti/
IPA guide

Other forms: validities

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."

Definitions of validity
  1. noun
    the quality of being valid and rigorous
    synonyms: cogency, rigor, rigour
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    type of:
    believability, credibility, credibleness
    the quality of being believable or trustworthy
  2. noun
    the property of being strong and healthy in constitution
    synonyms: hardiness, lustiness, robustness
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    type of:
    strength
    the property of being physically or mentally strong
  3. noun
    the quality of having legal force or effectiveness
    synonyms: validness
    see moresee less
    types:
    effect, force
    (of a law) having legal validity
    type of:
    legality
    lawfulness by virtue of conformity to a legal statute
Pronunciation
US
/vəˈlɪdɪɾi/
UK
/vəˈlɪdɪti/
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Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing validity

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 3

As you read Act 3 of William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," learn this word list. Here are links to lists for texts in Grade 9's Collection 4: Love's Vocabulary, elements of Shakespearean drama, Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Romeo and Juliet, Act 4, Romeo and Juliet, Act 5, Pyramus and Thisbe, Duty

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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Shortly before the inauguration of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams appointed many judges and justices. While most of these Federalist commissions were delivered before the Democratic-Republican administration took over, some were delayed and declared void. Unable to take office, William Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to force the new Secretary of State, James Madison, to hand over his commission. The Court recognized Marbury's right, but they decided against him because his claim was both inappropriately presented and based on an unconstitutional act of Congress. This ruling solidified the Court's power to review and interpret the laws of the land. These words are from the unanimous opinion written by John Marshall. Read the full text here.

"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 7

Philip Geer's "Simon's Saga" includes 820 SAT-level words and gives students an entertaining glimpse into college life. Here are links to our lists for the novel: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15, Episode 16, Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, Episode 22, Episode 23, Episode 24, Episode 25, Episode 26, Episode 27, Episode 28, Episode 29, Episode 30, Episode 31, Episode 32, Episode 33, Episode 34, Episode 35, Episode 36, Episode 37

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