verify

[ver-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

verified, verifying 

1. to prove the truth of, as by evidence or testimony; confirm; substantiate.

   Events verified his prediction.

2. to ascertain the truth or correctness of, as by examination, research, or comparison.

   to verify a spelling.

   Synonyms: validate, authenticate

3. to act as ultimate proof or evidence of; serve to confirm.

4. Law.

   1. to prove or confirm (an allegation).

   2. to state to be true, especially in legal use, formally or upon oath.

verify

/ ˈvɛrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to prove to be true; confirm; substantiate

2. to check or determine the correctness or truth of by investigation, reference, etc

3. law to add a verification to (a pleading); substantiate or confirm (an oath)

Other Word Forms

• verifiability noun
• verifiableness noun
• verifiable adjective
• verifier noun
• nonverifiable adjective
• preverify verb (used with object)
• reverify verb (used with object)
• unverifiability noun
• unverifiable adjective
• verifiably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of verify¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English verifien, from Middle French verifier, from Medieval Latin vērificāre, from vēri- (combining form of vērus “true”) + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of verify¹

C14: from Old French verifier, from Medieval Latin vērificāre, from Latin vērus true + facere to make

Example Sentences

In a written statement, a Grindr spokesperson said the company cooperates with law enforcement and encourages people to use its video calling feature to verify connections for safety before meeting in person.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I do worry about the self-attestation and what vulnerable position we’re going to be putting our immigrant tenants in as it relates to verifying that they need the help,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The department, for instance, threatened to withhold money from schools that did not verify they were ending diversity initiatives, which were designed to address inequitable treatment of Black, Native and Latino students.

Read more on Salon

She said: "Trusts have not put in place arrangements to verify that medical staff are complying with the policy."

Read more on BBC

The platform, which has more than 200 million users worldwide, says hackers had targeted a firm that helped to verify the ages of its users but the Discord platform itself was not breached.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• authenticate 
• certify 
• check 
• corroborate 
• demonstrate 
• double-check 
• establish 
• find out 
• justify 
• prove 
• substantiate