validity

The quality of being true or supported by good reasons.

• I doubt the validity of that claim.
• New evidence supports the validity of her explanation.
• How can we assess the validity of these conclusions?

How to use it: validity of something (They questioned the validity of his argument.)

Similar words: soundness

Opposites: invalidity

Common phrases: question the validity, validity of something

The quality of being officially accepted and still usable, as with a ticket or document.

• The ticket has a validity period of one month.
• Please check your passport’s validity before booking.
• The website lets you confirm the validity of your permit.

How to use it: validity of something (Check the validity of your ticket before boarding.)

Similar words: validness

Opposites: invalidity

Common phrases: passport validity, check validity, validity period

How well a test measures the skill or quality it is meant to measure.

• The researchers checked the test’s validity.
• A larger study could improve confidence in the questionnaire’s validity.
• High scores alone do not prove a test’s validity.

How to use it: validity of something (The study examined the validity of the reading test.)

Common phrases: test validity, assess validity, validity of something, measurement validity

The quality of being legally effective and recognized by the law.

• The agreement’s validity depends on both signatures.
• A judge questioned the validity of the will.
• The ruling established the legal validity of their marriage.

How to use it: validity of something (The court confirmed the validity of the contract.)

Opposites: invalidity

Common phrases: legal validity, validity of something