C1nounformal5K

Validity

UK /["/vəˈlɪdəti/"]/US /["/vəˈlɪdəti/"]/

Definition

the state of being legally or officially acceptable

In simple words: how true or acceptable something is

Examples

The period of validity of the agreement has expired.
The judges upheld the validity of the previous judgement.
The legal validity of the claims has been challenged.
We had doubts about the validity of their argument.
His reputation lends a certain validity to the approach that it might not deserve.
The results are of doubtful validity.
The theory has the face validity of being consistent with recent findings.
the theory's validity for parent-child relationships
to assess the scientific validity of new treatments
Of course we recognize the validity of that argument.

Usage notes

Use 'validity' in academic or legal contexts. Avoid in casual conversations as it sounds too formal.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'valid' as a badge of trust; 'validity' is the reason the badge is earned.

Collocations

great
equal
doubtful
have
give something
lend something
of… validity
validity for
great
equal
doubtful
have
give something
lend something
of… validity
validity for

Synonyms

legitimacy
truthfulness
veracity
soundness
authenticity

Antonyms

invalidity
falseness

Common mistakes

Confused with 'valid' which is an adjective.
Using 'validity' in a casual context.
Mispronouncing it with emphasis on the second 'a' instead of the first.