Synonyms

verify

American

[ver-uh-fahy] / ˈvɛr əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

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

Events verified his prediction.
to ascertain the truth or correctness of, as by examination, research, or comparison.

to verify a spelling.

Synonyms:

validate, authenticate
to act as ultimate proof or evidence of; serve to confirm.
Law.
1. to prove or confirm (an allegation).
2. to state to be true, especially in legal use, formally or upon oath.

verify British

/ ˈvɛrɪˌfaɪ /

verb

to prove to be true; confirm; substantiate
to check or determine the correctness or truth of by investigation, reference, etc
law to add a verification to (a pleading); substantiate or confirm (an oath)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of verify

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

Explanation

When you verify something, you show that it's true. Do you have a photograph to verify your claim that there's a dinosaur in your backyard? Physical evidence and records are often used to verify what's happened. Your receipt verifies that you purchased the tall, striped hat you'd now like to return. You can also verify something verbally. Can you verify that your cat was home all evening on the night of the canary's "accident"?

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Vocabulary lists containing verify

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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.

BBC Verify asked the US Department of Defense about what exactly it has requested but has not received a response.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett, the ex-head of the Irish Defence Forces, told BBC Verify that the batteries are at the core of a "highly complex" regional defence network that cannot be "quickly or easily replaced".

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

"From past digital blackouts in Iran we've seen that the restoration process can take some hours and isn't as streamlined as the shutdown procedure," the group's director of research Isik Mater earlier told BBC Verify.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Hundreds of so-called Russian "shadow fleet" vessels have also entered UK waters since the prime minister threatened to intercept them earlier this year, a BBC Verify analysis suggested.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Verify this by direct reference to the sky, and see how nearly these stars have kept the same position for nearly twenty centuries.

From A Text-Book of Astronomy by Comstock, George C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023