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

On a cool November evening in New York City, a swarm of hundreds of drones gracefully buzzed over the Hudson River, taking shape above a darkened ship floating in the water. What followed was a veritable procession of Walt Disney Co. intellectual property, paired with music from Disney classics. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Jan. 2025

The water that pools at the base of the leaves supports veritable mini-ecosystems, and these frogs likely munch on the invertebrates that also call the pandans home. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024

The Alexander brothers — twins Alon and Oren and their brother, Tal — are accused of a veritable crime wave. —Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

Seen on the wrists of jazz great Miles Davis, Formula 1 legend Jim Clark, and Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter, the Navitimer is a veritable legend of tool watchdom and remains required wearing for any serious collector. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 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