certify

[sur-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

certified, certifying 

1. to attest as certain; give reliable information of; confirm.

   He certified the truth of his claim.

   Synonyms: guarantee, validate, verify, corroborate

2. to testify to or vouch for in writing.

   The medical examiner will certify his findings to the court.

3. to guarantee; endorse reliably.

   to certify a document with an official seal.

4. to guarantee (a check) by writing on its face that the account against which it is drawn has sufficient funds to pay it.

5. to award a certificate to (a person) attesting to the completion of a course of study or the passing of a qualifying examination.

6. to declare legally insane and committable to a mental institution.

7. Archaic.,  to assure or inform with certainty.

verb (used without object)

certified, certifying 

1. to give assurance; testify; vouch for the validity of something (usually followed byto ).

certify

/ ˈsɜːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to confirm or attest (to), usually in writing

   the letter certified her age

2. (tr) to endorse or guarantee (that certain required standards have been met)

3. to give reliable information or assurances

   he certified that it was Walter's handwriting

4. (tr) to declare legally insane

5. (tr) (of a bank) to state in writing on (a cheque) that payment is guaranteed

Other Word Forms

• certifier noun
• precertify verb (used with object)
• recertify verb (used with object)
• uncertifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of certify¹

1300–50; Middle English certifien < Middle French certifier < Late Latin certificāre, equivalent to Latin certi- (combining form of certus decided; certain ) + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of certify¹

C14: from Old French certifier, from Medieval Latin certificāre to make certain, from Latin certus _certain + facere to make

Example Sentences

County elections officials must certify election results by Dec. 4.

From Los Angeles Times

But she’s also a certified health coach who has written a cookbook.

From Los Angeles Times

"The award isn't about certifying research but celebrating it - the fun side of science. Most research is a thankless job done out of passion, and this is also a way of popularising it."

From BBC

In her book, Harris calls the day she certified the election one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do.

From Los Angeles Times

Since 2022, they have been able to carry out checks on passport-holding British and Irish citizens by using digital verification services that have been certified by the government.

From BBC

Related Words

• accredit 
• approve 
• ascertain 
• authorize 
• confirm 
• endorse 
• guarantee 
• license 
• notify 
• validate 
• verify