Definition of "Viz"

What does viz. mean? The meaning of viz. derives from the Latin word videlicet which is translated into English as namely, that is, which is, as follows. You may encounter it in legal documents and technical writings, where it also means that is to say. After viz. you should expect to find further details, an explanation, an enumeration or several examples. 

Is viz. a real estate term? Since it might show up in the most important documents that are to be signed during the home-buying process, real estate lawyers and real estate agents may have to explain the meaning of viz. for both the home seller and the homebuyer. However, it is not a real estate term. Although it is an insignificant word, it may raise a question mark for those who are unfamiliar with formal writing. However, even if one doesn’t know the definition of viz., he or she will still understand the sentence because the meaning of this small abbreviation can be deduced from the context. 

The word viz. is only used in writing and the main goal is to save space. That’s why you may also find it in footnotes. Just like the similar Latin abbreviations e.g. and i.e., the word viz. is always followed by a period and should be separated by commas from the rest of the sentence like in the following examples:

Six countries have registered for this online competition, viz. China, Japan, Sout Korea, Italy, the U.S., and Canada. 

“(...) direct an examination of the candidate on the following branches, viz. orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, composition, geography, and arithmetic.” extracted from The Laws of Texas 1822-1897

The popularity of the word viz. has constantly declined over the years. So, don’t be surprised if you run into it in older documents or last wills, especially during probate. Nowadays, many linguists recommend using the other meanings of viz. instead. And unless you intend to sound strange, never use it in speech.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Real property located in an excellent area for its designated objective. An example is a restaurant situated near office buildings, on the main boulevard, so it is easy to see, and has ...

legal ruling providing protection to home buyers of defective homes bought from a seller who then sold the contract to a third party. ...

A real estate broker who lists and sells houses or condominiums, as distinguished from a commercial broker who handles business property. ...

Company formed for the purpose of owning securities of one or more real estate corporations and assuming control over their practices and management. The other corporations are generally ...

Percentage of a geographic location's population to the number of persons employable by a basic industry in that area. A basic industry is one that draws income from outside the locality ...

Hollow building block whose dimensions are 8 x 8 x 16. Concrete blocks are widely used in the construction of foundations and outer walls. They provide strength and durability. ...

Compilation of all tax maps of a given tax district that are bound together and kept at the local tax office. The tax book is a public record that may be accessed by an individual for ...

The initial cost of a home plus any expense for final settlement that are not tax deductible plus capital improvements. ...

Every borrower has his own definition of amortization schedule in mind. An amortization schedule is a table that reveals how the debt is going to be paid back and at what cost. For most ...

Popular Real Estate Questions