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Validity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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validity

[vəˈlɪdəti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

The quality of being logically or factually sound; legality.

Synonyms

legitimacy, reliability, soundness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
validity

Use when discussing the quality of being logically or factually sound, especially in research, arguments, or procedures.

  • The validity of the experiment's results was questioned.
  • You need to check the validity of this document.
legitimacy

Applicable in contexts where the focus is on conformity to laws, rules, or accepted standards, often in legal, political or social discussions.

  • The legitimacy of the new government is being disputed.
  • He questioned the legitimacy of her claim.
soundness

Use when emphasizing the thoroughness, logic, and robustness of something, typically ideas, arguments, or structures.

  • The soundness of his financial plan impressed the investors.
  • We need to ensure the soundness of the building's foundation.
reliability

Best used when referring to the consistency and dependability of a person, system, or process over time.

  • The reliability of this data is crucial for our analysis.
  • You can count on her reliability; she never misses a deadline.

Examples of usage

  • It is important to establish the validity of the contract before proceeding.
  • The validity of the evidence was questioned by the defense lawyer.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

The extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Synonyms

accuracy, authenticity, reliability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
validity

This word is often used in legal or formal contexts to denote whether something is legally recognized, acceptable, or logical.

  • The validity of the contract is under scrutiny.
  • Her argument lacks validity and needs more evidence.
accuracy

Accuracy is used when discussing the correctness or precision of information, measurements, or data. It's commonly used in scientific, technical, and academic contexts.

  • The accuracy of the weather forecast was impressive.
  • He was known for his accuracy in shooting.
reliability

Reliability is used to discuss the dependability or consistency of something or someone. It's common in contexts where trustworthiness or stability is essential, such as products, services, or people.

  • The reliability of his car has made it very popular.
  • Her reliability as an employee is highly valued.
authenticity

Authenticity refers to whether something is genuine or true, often used when talking about documents, art, or personal expressions.

  • The authenticity of the painting was confirmed by experts.
  • He speaks with great authenticity and passion.

Examples of usage

  • The psychologist questioned the validity of the IQ test results.
  • The validity of the study's findings was called into doubt.
Context #3 | Noun

philosophy

The property of being well-founded, justifiable, or based on truth.

Synonyms

justifiability, truthfulness, validness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
validity

See the context and examples for 'validity' above.
truthfulness

Use 'truthfulness' to refer to the quality or state of being accurate and honest.

  • Her truthfulness was never in doubt.
  • The witness's truthfulness was crucial to the case.
justifiability

Employ 'justifiability' when discussing whether something can be defended or justified logically or ethically.

  • The justifiability of the action was debated for hours.
  • He questioned the justifiability of their decision.
validness

Use 'validness' to refer to the state of being true or legitimate, often interchangeably with 'validity'. However, 'validity' is more commonly used.

  • The validness of the document was confirmed by the notary.
  • There was no doubt about the validness of his argument.

Examples of usage

  • The validity of the argument was debated among philosophers.
  • Philosophers seek to determine the validity of various beliefs.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In philosophy, the notion of validity is crucial in logic, where a valid argument means the conclusion logically follows from the premises.
  • Philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that moral validity comes from universal principles, reflecting how validity shapes ethical thought.
  • In epistemology, or the study of knowledge, the validity of beliefs impacts our understanding of truth.

Law

  • In legal terms, validity refers to whether a law or contract is recognized as legitimate.
  • An example of legal validity is a contract that must meet certain criteria to be enforceable, such as mutual consent and lawful purpose.
  • Courts often evaluate the validity of evidence and testimony to ensure justice is upheld.

Science

  • In research, validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure, impacting the reliability of results.
  • There are multiple types of validity, including internal (within the study) and external (applicability to other settings).
  • Maintaining scientific validity is crucial for making sound conclusions and advancing knowledge.

Technology

  • In technology, validity checks ensure that data entered in forms is accurate and complete, helping prevent errors.
  • Software developers use validity testing to confirm that applications meet their specifications and function as intended.
  • With the rise of AI, validity assessments are vital for ensuring machine learning models don't produce biased results.

Origin of 'validity'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin word 'validus', meaning strong or powerful.
  • In the 16th century, it began to be used in English to describe something that is acceptable or logical.
  • The concept has evolved, influencing fields like law and philosophy, where it's essential for arguments and claims.

The word 'validity' originated from the Latin word 'validitas', which means strength or capacity. In the legal context, validity refers to the quality of being legally or factually sound. Over time, the term has been adopted in various fields such as psychology and philosophy to denote the accuracy, reliability, and truthfulness of a claim, test, or argument. Understanding the validity of information is crucial in making informed decisions and drawing reliable conclusions.

See also: valid, validation, validator, validness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,191, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.