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noun Common

validity

vuh-LIHD-tee

Validity (noun) means the quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable. Example: “Critics questioned the validity of the study's conclusions.”

noun
1
The quality of being sound, genuine, or logically acceptable.
"Critics questioned the validity of the study's conclusions."
2
The state of being legally or officially in force.
"The visa has a validity of ninety days."

How to use validity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow sound or officially acceptable something is.

Common pairings
question the validity period of validity legal validity

Word forms

validities plural

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Critics questioned the _____ of the study's conclusions.

Etymology

From "valid" + the noun-forming suffix "-ity".

Related words

Rhymes for validity

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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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