verify

American  

[ver-uh-fahy] / ˈvɛr əˌfaɪ /

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.

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verify British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

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"?

Example Sentences

The team had to map the full workflow, document domain expertise, structure internal data, build agents and then verify everything.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The BBC has not been able to verify either claim.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

To verify their findings, the researchers also examined human brain tissue using ultra high-resolution imaging.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Deborah Oyaleke was sent into a large freezer room to verify cartons of frozen fish.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

TeLinde set out to minimize what he called “unjustifiable hysterectomies” by documenting what wasn’t cervical cancer and by urging surgeons to verify smear results with biopsies before operating.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

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