verisimilitude
UK: ˌvɛrɪsɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd | US: ˌvɛrəsəˈmɪləˌtud
n. the appearance of being true or real
n. (literary/artistic) the quality of seeming to depict reality convincingly
verisimilitude = veri<true> + simil<like> + itude<noun suffix>
- veri (from Latin verus, meaning "true")
- simil (from Latin similis, meaning "like" or "similar")
- itude (noun-forming suffix indicating state or quality, from Latin -itudo)
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin verisimilitudo, combining verus (truth) and similitudo (likeness), the word originally described the plausibility of narratives in rhetoric and philosophy. It entered English in the 17th century, retaining its focus on the illusion of truth—whether in art, logic, or deception. The morphemes reflect a logical progression: "truth" + "likeness" + "abstract quality."
The novel’s verisimilitude made its fictional world feel eerily real.
Historical films often sacrifice verisimilitude for dramatic effect.
His alibi lacked verisimilitude, raising suspicions.
Photorealistic paintings achieve verisimilitude through meticulous detail.
The documentary’s verisimilitude was undermined by staged scenes.