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Synonyms

certificate

American  
[ser-tif-i-kit, ser-tif-i-keyt] / sərˈtɪf ɪ kɪt, sərˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt /

noun

  1. a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.

  2. a document attesting to the fact that a person has completed an educational course, issued either by an institution not authorized to grant diplomas, or to a student not qualifying for a diploma.

  3. Law. a statement, written and signed, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes.

  4. Finance.

    1. gold certificate.

    2. silver certificate.


verb (used with object)

certificated, certificating
  1. to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.

  2. to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of.

    to certificate a teacher.

certificate British  

noun

  1. an official document attesting the truth of the facts stated, as of birth, marital status, death, health, completion of an academic course, ability to practise a profession, etc

  2. short for share certificate

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to authorize by or present with an official document

"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

Other Word Forms

  • certificatory adjective
  • noncertificated adjective
  • uncertificated adjective

Etymology

Origin of certificate

1375–1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre ), equivalent to certific- ( certify ) + -ātus -ate 1

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.

As an investment, floating-rate cryptocurrencies are largely hope certificates with no intrinsic value.

From The Wall Street Journal

But when he tried to register for secondary school, he realised he didn't have a birth certificate.

From BBC

The utility says that because it held a safety certificate at the time of the fire it expects to be reimbursed for most or all of the payments by a $21-billion state wildfire fund.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s also relatively simple to claim the assets after you’re gone with your death certificate, identification and a claim form.

From MarketWatch

She said they had invited Zac to their Worcester headquarters to present him with a certificate for his bravery.

From BBC