believable

Believable is an adjective describing something that can be believed or is convincing. It typically refers to statements, explanations, actions, or characters that a reasonable person finds plausible and supported by evidence.

Etymology: The word is formed in English from the verb "believe" plus the suffix "-able," indicating capability. The verb itself derives from Old English roots related to belief and faith.

Usage and nuances: Believability focuses on how convincing something appears to an audience. It overlaps with but is not identical to credibility (trustworthiness) and plausibility (reasonableness). A claim may be believable yet not credible if the source is unreliable, or plausible but not believable if the supporting evidence is weak.

In fiction and media, believability refers to internal consistency and logical coherence. A character’s motives, the setting, and the rules of the world should align; foreshadowing and observational detail can enhance believability. In journalism or science, believability depends on evidence, citation, and method; unsupported claims reduce believability.

See also: credibility, plausibility, believability, suspension of disbelief.