Pronunciation: [vɛɹˈɪdɪkə͡l] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "veridical" may seem unusual, but it is pronounced as /vɛˈrɪdɪkəl/. The "v" at the beginning is followed by the "e" which has a short "e" sound. Then, there is the combination of "ridi" which is pronounced with a short "i" sound. Finally, the word ends with "cal" which has a hard "k" sound. Despite its unusual spelling, "veridical" is a useful word which means truthful or accurate.
Veridical is an adjective that refers to something that is considered to be truthful, accurate, or in accordance with reality. It indicates a correspondence between a statement or perception and the actual state of affairs. The word is primarily used in philosophy, psychology, and related fields to describe experiences, knowledge, or information that can be regarded as genuine, dependable, or faithful.
In epistemology, veridicality is often associated with having perceptual experiences that are veridical, meaning they accurately represent the external world as it is. For instance, in the case of visual perception, if one's perception of seeing a red apple accurately corresponds to the presence of an actual red apple in the external environment, it can be deemed veridical.
The term can also extend to descriptions or accounts provided by individuals, wherein if their testimony aligns with the objective truth or events, it is regarded as veridical testimony. Similarly, in the realm of memory, if a recollection accurately reflects past events, it is considered veridical memory.
Veridical is often contrasted with terms like illusory, hallucinatory, or deceptive, which are used to describe experiences or information that deviate from reality. While veridicality pertains to the quality of being truthful or genuine, it does not imply infallibility, as individuals can sometimes perceive or remember inaccurately despite their sincere beliefs. Nonetheless, veridical experiences, knowledge, or information are valued in many fields as they provide reliable and valid insights into the world.
The word "veridical" originated from the Latin term "veridicus", which is a combination of "verus" meaning "true" and "dicere" meaning "to say". "Veridicus" translates to "speaking the truth" or "truthful". This Latin term later evolved into the English word "veridical", which refers to something that is true or accurate.
