validity
gb/vəlˈɪdɪti/ us/vəlˈɪdɪti/
B2
English
~ 8800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
property
1
logical or factual soundness
The quality of an idea or argument being correct because it follows logic and facts.
Usage pattern:
the validity of [a claim/argument/method]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "validity" with "truth" or "value". Something can have validity in its reasoning even if some details are later shown to be wrong. Another common mistake is using "validity" where the adjective "valid" is needed, e.g. saying *"This is a validity argument" instead of "This is a valid argument." Also, "validity" is almost always uncountable; avoid forms like *"many validities" in general English.
Synonyms
soundness (Stresses strong, solid reasoning or structure, especially in logic and argumentation.)
|
credibility (Focuses more on how believable something seems, not just on strict logic or evidence.)
Antonyms
invalidity (Direct opposite, meaning the state of not being logically or factually acceptable.)
Collocations
question the validity
|challenge the validity
|scientific validity
|empirical validity
|assess the validity
|test the validity
Themes
science
|logic
|education
|media
Examples
- Several experts have questioned the validity of the study’s conclusions.
- The lawyer attacked the validity of the witness’s statement.
- Before we change the policy, we need to examine the validity of these complaints.
- New data has cast doubt on the validity of his theory.
- She defended the validity of her research methods in the interview.
Learner examples
- Some scientists doubt the validity of the results.
- We must check the validity of this report.
- They tested the validity of the new method.
- The teacher asked students to think about the validity of the argument.
- The article discusses the validity of these claims.
Noun
formal
C1
property
2
legal force or effectiveness
The quality of something, like a contract or law, being accepted by the law and having legal power.
Usage pattern:
the validity of [a contract/law/decision]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix up "legal" and "valid" and say *"this contract is legal" when they mean "this contract has legal validity" or "this contract is valid." "Legal" can mean simply "not against the law," while "validity" refers to whether a document or act fully works in law (for example, whether a contract can be enforced).
Synonyms
legality (Focuses on being allowed by law in general, while "validity" focuses on having full legal effect.)
Antonyms
illegality (Describes something that is not allowed by law and therefore lacks legal validity.)
Collocations
legal validity
|the validity of a contract
|the validity of a will
|challenge the validity in court
|question the validity
|confirm the validity
Themes
law
|business
|government
Examples
- The court is reviewing the validity of the new regulation.
- They challenged the validity of the contract on the grounds of fraud.
- A signature is required for the validity of the agreement.
- Questions were raised about the validity of the election results.
- The lawyer argued that the document had no legal validity.
Learner examples
- The judge checked the validity of the contract.
- They went to court to question the validity of the will.
- Without your signature, the form has no validity.
- Her lawyer defended the validity of the agreement.
- Some people doubt the validity of the vote.
Noun
formal
B2
quantity
3
period something remains valid
The time period when something, like a ticket or passport, can still be used and is accepted as valid.
Usage pattern:
the validity of [a ticket/passport/visa]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"How long is this ticket valid for its validity?" Instead, ask "How long is this ticket valid?" or "What is the validity of this ticket?" Another mistake is confusing "validity" with "availability"; a product can be available in a shop even if its warranty validity has ended.
Synonyms
duration (General word for how long something lasts; does not specifically mean "legally/officially valid.")
Antonyms
expiry (Refers to the end of the period when something has validity.)
Collocations
period of validity
|validity period
|passport validity
|ticket validity
|extend the validity
|validity of the visa
Themes
travel
|bureaucracy
|business
|time
|law
Examples
- The validity of the ticket is limited to one day.
- Please check the validity of your passport before you book your flight.
- The card’s validity will be extended for another two years.
- Information about the visa’s validity can be found on the embassy website.
- After the validity of the permit ends, you must apply again.
Learner examples
- The validity of this ticket is three days.
- My passport is near the end of its validity.
- You can use the card during its validity period.
- They want to extend the validity of our work permits.
- Please look at the date to see the validity of the pass.
Noun
C1
property
4
reasonableness of feelings or concerns
The quality of a feeling or worry being sensible and something that people should respect.
Usage pattern:
the validity of [someone’s feelings/concerns]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse words like "right" or "true" instead of "validity" in emotional contexts, saying "my feelings are true" when they mean "my feelings have validity" or "my feelings are valid." Also, "validity" here does not mean that the facts are correct; it means the emotional reaction is understandable and deserves respect.
Synonyms
legitimacy (Emphasizes that something deserves respect or recognition, not just that it follows logic.)
Antonyms
unreasonableness (Describes feelings or concerns that are seen as not sensible or not deserving serious attention.)
Collocations
the validity of his concerns
|the validity of her feelings
|recognize the validity
|acknowledge the validity
|question the validity
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|relationships
Examples
- The therapist helped her see the validity of her own feelings.
- We should acknowledge the validity of their concerns about safety.
- He refused to recognize the validity of her anger.
- Many people underestimate the validity of emotional reactions in stressful situations.
- The manager accepted the validity of the staff’s complaints.
Learner examples
- She wants him to see the validity of her feelings.
- The teacher accepted the validity of the students’ worries.
- We should not ignore the validity of their fears.
- He does not see the validity of my concern.
- My friend helped me understand the validity of my anger.
Noun
technical
C2
property
5
accuracy of a test or measure
In science and testing, how well a test or study really measures what it says it measures, and supports its results.
Usage pattern:
the validity of [a test/measure/study]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "reliability" and "validity" in research. Reliability is about getting the same result again and again, while validity is about measuring the right thing. A test can be reliable but still have low validity if it consistently measures the wrong thing.
Synonyms
accuracy (General word for being correct; in research, "validity" is more specific to whether the measure matches the concept.)
Antonyms
bias (Refers to systematic error that reduces the validity of a test or study.)
Collocations
internal validity
|external validity
|construct validity
|criterion validity
|face validity
|threats to validity
Themes
science
|psychology
|education
|statistics
Examples
- Researchers debated the internal validity of the experiment.
- Low response rates can threaten the validity of survey results.
- The study’s authors provide strong evidence for the validity of their measurement tool.
- Construct validity was tested using several independent methods.
- External validity is limited because the sample is not representative.
Learner examples
- The scientist worries about the validity of the test.
- They checked the validity of their survey questions.
- Many problems can reduce the validity of a study.
- High validity is important in psychological tests.
- The teacher explained the idea of test validity in class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
validity
IPA
GB/vəlˈɪdɪti/
US/vəlˈɪdɪti/
Syllables & stress
valid - ity (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ity)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: validity
- Plural: validities, validity
Word family
Forms
validities
noun
Core family
Related words
validly
adverb
validator
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
revalidate
verb
revalidation
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.