Dictionary.com
definitions

certified

[ sur-tuh-fahyd ]
/ ˈsɜr təˌfaɪd /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR certified ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or proved by a certificate: a certified representative.
guaranteed; reliably endorsed: a certified check.
legally declared insane.
committed to a mental institution.

RELATED CONTENT

ischial tuberosityRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
The Oldest Abbreviations In EnglishIn the age of LOL, WTF, and OMG, abbreviations are often looked at as a sign of the coming apocalypse. (Spoiler: LOL, WTF, and OMG are not the oldest abbreviations in English—you're shocked, we know.)
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

authorize, license, confirm, verify, ascertain, notify, endorse, validate, guarantee, approve, accredit, state, attest, authenticate, okay, avow, show, reassure, testify, corroborate

Nearby words

  1. certificate of unruliness,
  2. certificated,
  3. certificates of deposit,
  4. certification,
  5. certification mark,
  6. certified accountant,
  7. certified check,
  8. certified mail,
  9. certified milk,
  10. certified pasteurized milk

Origin of certified

First recorded in 1605–15; certify + -ed2
Related formsnon·cer·ti·fied, adjectiveun·cer·ti·fied, adjectivewell-cer·ti·fied, adjective

certify

[ sur-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈsɜr təˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing.

verb (used without object), cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing.

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

Origin of certify

1300–50; Middle English certifien < Middle French certifier < Late Latin certificāre, equivalent to Latin certi- (combining form of certus decided; see certain) + -ficāre -fy
Related formscer·ti·fi·er, nounpre·cer·ti·fy, verb (used with object), pre·cer·ti·fied, pre·cer·ti·fy·ing.re·cer·ti·fy, verb (used with object), re·cer·ti·fied, re·cer·ti·fy·ing.un·cer·ti·fy·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for certified

British Dictionary definitions for certified

certified

/ (ˈsɜːtɪˌfaɪd) /

adjective

holding or guaranteed by a certificate
endorsed or guaranteeda certified cheque
(of a person) declared legally insane

certify

/ (ˈsɜːtɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to confirm or attest (to), usually in writingthe letter certified her age
(tr) to endorse or guarantee (that certain required standards have been met)
to give reliable information or assuranceshe certified that it was Walter's handwriting
(tr) to declare legally insane
(tr) US and Canadian (of a bank) to state in writing on (a cheque) that payment is guaranteed
Derived Formscertifier, noun

Word Origin for certify

C14: from Old French certifier, from Medieval Latin certificāre to make certain, from Latin certus certain + facere to make
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
Word Origin and History for certified

certify

v.

mid-14c., "to declare the truth of," also "to vouch for or confirm" (an official record, etc.), from Old French certefiier "make certain, witness the truth of" (12c.), from Late Latin certificare "to certify, to make certain," from Latin certus (see certain) + root of facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Also used in Middle English in broader senses of "inform, give notice; instruct, to direct; to designate." Related: Certified; certifying. Certified public accountant attested from 1896.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper