verificable

Verificable is an adjective describing something that can be verified, i.e., confirmed as true or accurate through evidence, observation, or independent examination. A verificable claim can be checked against reliable sources, data sets, or repeatable measurements.

The word derives from verify, via the suffix -able. Some English varieties use the spelling verificable as an alternative to verifiable; today verifiable is the more common form in American English, while verificable appears in older texts or certain regional styles. Both spellings convey the same meaning.

In science, journalism, law, and information literacy, verifiability is a core standard: statements should be backed by evidence that another person can observe or reproduce. The process of verification may involve consulting primary sources, verifying data integrity, or replicating results. Verifiability is closely related to, yet distinct from, falsifiability—the latter concerns whether a claim can be disproved, whereas verifiability concerns whether evidence can confirm it.

In collaborative knowledge projects and encyclopedic work, verifiability underpins trust: facts are supported by citations to reliable sources, and claims can be checked by readers independent of the original author. While no system guarantees absolute truth, a verifiable claim provides a clear pathway for scrutiny and replication.