Veracity vs. Accuracy — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 12, 2023
Veracity refers to truthfulness or honesty, while accuracy denotes the precision or correctness of a particular fact or statement.
Difference Between Veracity and Accuracy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Veracity is fundamentally rooted in the concept of truth and honesty. It often pertains to the sincerity or trustworthiness of a person's words or the genuineness of an account or narrative. When one questions the veracity of a statement, they're essentially probing its alignment with truth.
Accuracy, contrastingly, is about the exactness or correctness of information. It's a measure of how closely a statement or measurement aligns with an established standard or fact. The emphasis is on precision, ensuring that there's no deviation or error from a known standard or reference.
For example, in journalism, the veracity of a source speaks to the trustworthiness of the person providing the information. On the other hand, the accuracy of the information pertains to how correct and exact the details presented are in relation to actual events.
In scientific contexts, the veracity of data might involve ensuring it hasn't been manipulated or falsified. However, the accuracy of the data would be concerned with how close measurements are to the true value, eliminating as much error as possible.
Ultimately, while both terms emphasize truth, veracity leans more towards the qualitative aspect of truthfulness, whereas accuracy gravitates towards the quantitative aspect of correctness.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Truthfulness or honesty
Precision or correctness of information
Emphasis
Qualitative aspect of truth
Quantitative aspect of correctness
Context
Often relates to personal sincerity or genuineness of narratives
Often relates to measurements, facts, or exact details
Application
Integrity of data, trustworthiness of a source
Exactness of data, precision in reporting or measurement
Evaluation
Subjective; based on perceived honesty or alignment with truth
Objective; based on established standards or reference points
Compare with Definitions
Veracity
Honesty in expression.
Her veracity was evident in her straightforward manner.
Accuracy
The quality of being correct or precise.
The accuracy of the forecast amazed everyone.
Veracity
The quality of being truthful.
The veracity of his testimony was never in doubt.
Accuracy
Precision in action or performance.
The athlete's accuracy during the game was unmatched.
Veracity
The habit of speaking the truth.
His consistent veracity earned him a reputation of trustworthiness.
Accuracy
Conformity to a standard or truth.
The accuracy of the measurement was critical for the experiment.
Veracity
Genuineness or authenticity.
The veracity of the artifact was verified by experts.
Accuracy
Freedom from mistakes.
His work is always done with great accuracy.
Veracity
Adherence to the truth; truthfulness.
Accuracy
Conformity to fact.
Veracity
Conformity to fact or truth; accuracy
A report of doubtful veracity.
Accuracy
Precision; exactness.
Veracity
A true statement
"the stern veracities of science" (H.G. Wells).
Accuracy
The ability of a measurement to match the actual value of the quantity being measured.
Veracity
The quality of speaking or stating the truth; truthfulness.
Accuracy
The state of being accurate; being free from error; exactness; correctness
Veracity
(countable) Something that is true; a truthful statement; a truth.
Accuracy
Exact conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; degree of conformity of a measure to a true or standard value.
The jury doubted the accuracy of the witness' comments.
Veracity
(uncountable) Agreement with the facts; accordance with the truth; accuracy or precision.
Accuracy
The state of being accurate; freedom from mistakes, this exemption arising from carefulness; exact conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; precision; exactness; nicety; correctness; as, the value of testimony depends on its accuracy.
The professed end [of logic] is to teach men to think, to judge, and to reason, with precision and accuracy.
The accuracy with which the piston fits the sides.
Veracity
Act of being exact and accurate.
Accuracy
The quality of nearness to the truth or the true value;
He was beginning to doubt the accuracy of his compass
The lawyer questioned the truth of my account
Veracity
Correctness and carefulness in one's plan of action.
Accuracy
(mathematics) the number of significant figures given in a number;
The atomic clock enabled scientists to measure time with much greater accuracy
Veracity
The quality or state of being veracious; habitual observance of truth; truthfulness; truth; as, a man of veracity.
Accuracy
Exactness in reporting or representation.
The accuracy of the film's depiction was praised.
Veracity
Unwillingness to tell lies
Veracity
Conformity to facts.
The veracity of the report was confirmed by multiple sources.
Common Curiosities
Can a statement be accurate but lack veracity?
Yes, if it's technically correct but presented in a misleading way.
Does veracity refer only to people's truthfulness?
No, it can also refer to the truthfulness of information or narratives.
Is the veracity of a statement subjective?
It can be, as it involves evaluating truthfulness or alignment with fact.
Are veracity and accuracy mutually exclusive?
No, information can be both truthful (veracious) and correct (accurate).
Is accuracy always quantitative?
Often, but it can also refer to the correctness of non-quantitative details.
Can a measure be accurate even if it's not precise?
Yes, accuracy is about correctness, while precision is about consistent repeatability.
Does veracity have a moral component?
Typically, as it's tied to truthfulness and honesty.
Is accuracy the same as reliability?
No, accuracy is about correctness, while reliability is about consistency.
Does veracity always imply good intentions?
Generally, but it's mainly about truthfulness, not motives.
Can accuracy be measured?
Often, especially when compared to a known standard or fact.
In which fields is accuracy paramount?
Fields like science, engineering, and finance prioritize accuracy.
Can something have veracity but not be detailed?
Yes, a truthful statement can be broad or general.
Does accuracy imply intention?
Not necessarily; a statement can be accidentally accurate.
Is challenging the veracity of information common in debates?
Yes, questioning truthfulness is a frequent debate tactic.
Can a tool be calibrated for accuracy?
Yes, tools are often calibrated to ensure their measurements are accurate.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
