- Main Entry:
- val·id
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈva-ləd\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French valide, from Medieval Latin validus, from Latin, strong, potent, from valēre
- Date:
- 1571
1: having legal efficacy or force; especially : executed with the proper legal authority and formalities <a valid contract>2 a: well-grounded or justifiable : being at once relevant and meaningful <a valid theory> b: logically correct <a valid argument> <valid inference>3: appropriate to the end in view : effective <every craft has its own valid methods>4of a taxon : conforming to accepted principles of sound biological classification
—
va·lid·i·ty \və-ˈli-də-tē, va-\ noun —
val·id·ly \ˈva-ləd-lē\ adverb synonyms valid,
sound,
cogent,
convincing,
telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance.
valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority
<a valid reason for being absent> <a valid marriage>.
sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds
<a sound proposal for reviving the economy>.
cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation
<the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury>.
convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept
<a convincing argument for welfare reform>.
telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter
<a telling example of bureaucratic waste>.
