3 syllables: Ver, i, ty. Stress on Ver.
VER-uh-tee
/ˈvɛɹəti/
Verity is pronounced VER-uh-tee (/ˈvɛɹəti/). It has three syllables (Ver-i-ty), with the stress on "Ver". Verity is the quality or state of being true or real, often used to denote truthfulness or factual accuracy. As a noun, it refers to the truth of a statement or belief, or to a person who embodies honesty. In literature and philosophy, verity can also denote fundamental truth or reality beyond appearance.
nounVerity is the quality or state of being true or real, often used to denote truthfulness or factual accuracy. As a noun, it refers to the truth of a statement or belief, or to a person who embodies honesty. In literature and philosophy, verity can also denote fundamental truth or reality beyond appearance.
"Her words carried verity, and the audience trusted her testimony."
"The judge demanded verity in every assertion presented as evidence."
"She valued verity over popularity, choosing to speak honestly."
Pronounce it as VER-i-tee, with primary stress on the first syllable: /ˈvɛrɪti/ in US and UK. In careful speech, say the second syllable as a clear short /ɪ/ and the final as /ti/. Audio reference: you can compare with dictionaries or pronunciation videos that demonstrate /ˈvɛrɪti/. Mouthwise, start with a light open front vowel in the first syllable, then a relaxed schwa-like or short i in the second, ending with a crisp /ti/.
Common errors include misplacing stress (say VER-i-ty with wrong emphasis) and fricative-to-stop confusion in the first syllable (/v/ to /w/ or /f/). Another is over-articulating the second syllable, turning /ɪ/ into /iː/ or inserting a long vowel. Correction: keep primary stress on first syllable, use a short /ɪ/ or reduced /ɪ/ in the second, and end with a precise /ti/ without extra vowel length.
In US and UK, the initial vowel is a short open /ɛ/ as in BET, producing /ˈvɛrɪti/. Australian tends to be a slightly closer /eɪ/ or /eɐ/ quality in informal speech and may have less rhoticity in some speakers, but the word remains two or three syllables with final /ti/. Across accents the final consonant is typically clear /t/ followed by a light /i/.
The difficulty lies in maintaining two unstressed syllables after the stressed first syllable, which can lead to a reduced or swallowed middle vowel. Also, the final /ti/ cluster requires crisp articulation to avoid a blended /ti/ becoming /tɪ/ or /tiː/. Mastery involves precise tongue placement: front tongue for /vɛr/ and a light t-iness in the ending.
Note the word’s morphology: ver-ity, with a root related to truth but a two-syllable flexible ending. The unique aspect is keeping the first syllable distinct while the second and third stay light and quick. Stress remains on the first; ensure the second syllable is not drawn out, and the final /ti/ is clean and quick.
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Verity derives from Old French verité, from Latin veritas, meaning truth, honesty, or reality. Veritas itself comes from the Latin adjective verus (true) with the suffix -itas indicating a state or quality. The term entered English via Norman influence in the medieval period, where it was used in moral and philosophical contexts to denote ultimate truth or factual accuracy. Early uses appear in scholastic writings discussing the nature of truth and the alignment of belief with reality. Over time, verity expanded beyond abstract philosophy into everyday language, appearing in legal, literary, and religious contexts as a formal or elevated synonym for truth. The form Verity with a capital V also appears as a proper name and in literature as a figure embodying truth. The word’s phonology has remained stable in English, with initial stress on the first syllable and the vowel qualities representative of Middle English and modern English pronunciation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Verity" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Verity" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Verity"
-ity sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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