noun
Common
validity
vuh-LIHD-tee
Validity (noun) means the quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable. Example: “The judge doubted the validity of the witness's account because it kept changing.”
noun
1
The quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable.
"The judge doubted the validity of the witness's account because it kept changing."
"Nobody could deny the validity of her argument once she showed the evidence."
"Critics questioned the validity of the study's conclusions."
2
The state of being legally or officially in force.
"Check the validity of your passport before you book a trip abroad."
"The coupon has a limited validity and runs out at the end of the month."
"The visa has a validity of ninety days."
How to use validity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow sound or officially acceptable something is.
Common pairings
question the validity
period of validity
legal validity
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Word forms
- Plural
- validities
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The judge doubted the _____ of the witness's account because it kept changing.
Etymology
From "valid" + the noun-forming suffix "-ity".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for validity
See all rhymes for validity →Frequently asked questions
What does “validity” mean?
The word “validity” means the quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable. In plain terms, how sound or officially acceptable something is.
How do you pronounce “validity”?
“Validity” is pronounced vuh-LIHD-tee ([vəˈlɪɾ.ɪ~ə.ti] in IPA).
How do you use “validity” in a sentence?
Here is “validity” used in a sentence: “Critics questioned the validity of the study's conclusions.”
What part of speech is “validity”?
“Validity” is a noun.
Is “validity” a common word?
“Validity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “validity” have?
“Validity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable.
What is the difference between "validity" and "reliability"?
"Validity" refers to whether something is sound, genuine, or logically acceptable, such as whether an argument or test measures what it claims to. "Reliability," by contrast, refers to consistency of results, which is a related but distinct concept often discussed alongside validity in research and testing.
How is "validity" used differently in logic versus law?
In logic and reasoning, "validity" describes whether an argument is sound and its conclusions logically follow from its premises. In legal or official contexts, "validity" instead refers to whether a document or agreement is currently in force.
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