certified
Americanadjective
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having or proved by a certificate.
a certified representative.
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guaranteed; reliably endorsed.
a certified check.
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legally declared insane.
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committed to a mental institution.
adjective
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holding or guaranteed by a certificate
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endorsed or guaranteed
a certified cheque
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(of a person) declared legally insane
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of certified
Explanation
If you've met a certain standard or proven that you're qualified for some specific job or task, you're certified. Most schools hire only certified teachers. In order for a person to become certified, there is usually some sort of test or review. A certified accountant has proven that she knows how to prepare tax forms and other financial records by taking classes and an exam. A certified diver has trained to use scuba gear and dive to a certain depth in the ocean, and demonstrated this ability. When you're certified in some way, you often receive a certificate, a document that proves it.
Vocabulary lists containing certified
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The number of Certified Financial Planners doubled to 107,000 during his tenure, and their ranks became more diverse, although Keller says there’s still room for improvement on that score.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
In June 2025, B Lab, the non-profit behind Certified B Corporations, was accused of "enabling greenwashing and purpose washing by multinationals".
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026
Jonathan won the Excellence in Financial Journalism Award from the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026
“There’s going to be some individuality to each portfolio,” Clifford Cornell, Certified Financial Planner at Bone Fide Wealth told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 11, 2025
Certified extracts appeared in Notes and Queries, 8th ser. xii. 463-4.
From A Life of William Shakespeare with portraits and facsimiles by Lee, Sidney, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
