verisimilitude
gb/vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/ us/vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
C2
English
valószerűség, életszerűség
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
1
valószerűség
C1
Usage pattern:
the verisimilitude of [something]
The leaked email chain had just enough verisimilitude to convince people it was real.
A kiszivárgott e-mail-váltás épp eléggé valószerűnek tűnt ahhoz, hogy az emberek elhiggyék, hogy valódi.
The witness added small, ordinary details to give her account verisimilitude.
A tanú apró, hétköznapi részleteket is hozzátett, hogy hihetőbbé tegye a beszámolóját.
The timeline’s verisimilitude falls apart when you check the dates.
Learner examples
The story has verisimilitude, so I believed it.
A történet elég hihető volt, ezért elhittem.
These details add verisimilitude to the report.
Ezek a részletek valószerűbbé teszik a beszámolót.
Common mistake:
Often confused with similarly shaped words like “versatility” or misspelled (e.g., *verisimilitude* vs *verisimilitude*). It refers to seeming true, not to being true.
Meaning
appearance of being true
Collocations
an air of verisimilitude
|a sense of verisimilitude
|a veneer of verisimilitude
|a degree of verisimilitude
|lend verisimilitude to
|give verisimilitude to
|create verisimilitude
|maintain verisimilitude
|lack verisimilitude
|the verisimilitude of the story
Synonyms
plausibility (Emphasizes being likely or credible.)
|
believability (More everyday and less formal.)
|
credibility (Often about trustworthiness of claims or sources.)
|
semblance of truth (Stresses only an outward appearance of truth.)
Antonyms
implausibility (The quality of being hard to believe.)
|
unreality (A sense that something is not real.)
Themes
truth
|communication
|media
|writing
|critical_thinking
Definition
How real or believable something seems.
The quality of seeming true, real, or believable, even if not actually true.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
2
életszerűség
C1
Usage pattern:
verisimilitude in [something]
The film’s costumes and slang add verisimilitude to its 1970s setting.
A film jelmezei és szlengje életszerűvé teszik a hetvenes évekbeli közeget.
Even in a superhero story, the characters’ grief needs verisimilitude to land emotionally.
Még egy szuperhőstörténetben is életszerűnek kell lennie a szereplők gyászának, hogy érzelmileg hasson.
One convenient coincidence can break verisimilitude and pull the audience out of the scene.
Learner examples
Good dialogue gives a movie verisimilitude.
A jó párbeszéd életszerűvé teszi a filmet.
The writer used real places for verisimilitude.
Az író valódi helyszíneket használt, hogy életszerűbbé tegye a történetet.
Common mistake:
Not the same as “accuracy”: a fantasy world can have verisimilitude if it feels internally consistent and believable.
Meaning
lifelike realism in fiction
Collocations
verisimilitude in fiction
|verisimilitude in a novel
|verisimilitude in film
|narrative verisimilitude
|emotional verisimilitude
|historical verisimilitude
|create verisimilitude
|achieve verisimilitude
|undermine verisimilitude
|a lack of verisimilitude
Synonyms
realism (Broader term; can be an artistic style as well as an effect.)
|
authenticity (Often suggests genuineness, not just a convincing illusion.)
|
naturalism (Can imply a more detailed, matter-of-fact realism in art.)
Antonyms
artificiality (A noticeable sense of being constructed or fake.)
|
contrivance (Plotting or details that feel forced and unconvincing.)
Themes
arts
|literature
|film
|storytelling
|games
Definition
Realistic feeling in a story or artwork.
In art, literature, film, or games, the quality of resembling real life in a convincing way, especially through accurate details and consistent internal logic.
Grammar
Dictionary form
verisimilitude
IPA
GB/vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
US/vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
Syllables & stress
verisimil - it - ude (3 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: verisimilitude
- Plural: verisimilitude, verisimilitudes
Expressions
a veneer of verisimilitude
1/ə vənˈɪɹ əv vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
fixed phrase
formal
thin appearance of truth
Only a small amount of believability.
Examples
- The report had a veneer of verisimilitude but no solid sources.
- Adding charts gave the pitch a veneer of verisimilitude.
- The dialogue offers a veneer of verisimilitude, yet the plot makes no sense.
an air of verisimilitude
1/ən ˈɛɹ əv vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
fixed phrase
formal
a believable feel
A feeling that something is real.
Examples
- The handheld camera work gave the documentary an air of verisimilitude.
- Her calm tone lent the accusation an air of verisimilitude.
- The fake website had an air of verisimilitude, right down to the contact page.
for verisimilitude
1/fɚ vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud/
fixed phrase
formal
to make it realistic
To make it feel more real.
Examples
- She kept the dialogue messy for verisimilitude, including interruptions and false starts.
- The designer added wear and scratches for verisimilitude.
- They used real company names for verisimilitude in the script.
lend verisimilitude to [something]
1/lˈɛnd vˌɛɹəsəmˈɪlətˌud tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
make something seem real
To make it feel more believable.
Examples
- The author used real street names to lend verisimilitude to the chase scene.
- A few technical terms can lend verisimilitude to a fake product review.
- They planted minor truths in the narrative to lend it verisimilitude.
Learner examples
- These photos lend verisimilitude to his story.