verisimilitude

/vɛɹɪsɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd/

Group 12Difficulty 3/3

Definition

(noun)
The appearance of being true or real
GRE

Example in Context

The novelist achieved remarkable verisimilitude in her depiction of wartime conditions, drawing on extensive archival research and survivor interviews.

Synonyms

realismauthenticitybelievability

Etymology

Means 'truthfulness' and 'similarity', reflecting the appearance of reality.

  • veri- (Latin) — truth
  • similitudo (Latin) — similarity

Memory Aid

👨Sounds like “very similar dude

Imagine a VERY SIMILAR DUDE who looks just like a celebrity, confusing everyone about who’s real!

Visual Association

🎭A masterful actor on stage, so convincing that the audience believes every moment is real.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “verisimilitude” mean on the GRE?

verisimilitude (noun) means “The appearance of being true or real”. The novelist achieved remarkable verisimilitude in her depiction of wartime conditions, drawing on extensive archival research and survivor interviews.

How to remember “verisimilitude” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “verisimilitude” sounds like “very similar dude”. Imagine a VERY SIMILAR DUDE who looks just like a celebrity, confusing everyone about who’s real!

What are synonyms for “verisimilitude”?

Common synonyms: realism, authenticity, believability.