certified
Americanadjective
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having or proved by a certificate.
a certified representative.
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guaranteed; reliably endorsed.
a certified check.
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legally declared insane.
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committed to a mental institution.
adjective
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holding or guaranteed by a certificate
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endorsed or guaranteed
a certified cheque
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(of a person) declared legally insane
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of certified
Explanation
If you've met a certain standard or proven that you're qualified for some specific job or task, you're certified. Most schools hire only certified teachers. In order for a person to become certified, there is usually some sort of test or review. A certified accountant has proven that she knows how to prepare tax forms and other financial records by taking classes and an exam. A certified diver has trained to use scuba gear and dive to a certain depth in the ocean, and demonstrated this ability. When you're certified in some way, you often receive a certificate, a document that proves it.
Vocabulary lists containing certified
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.
Do not give an adviser withdrawal authority, read everything before signing, and get a lawyer or a certified public accountant to review the contract if necessary.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
“If you’re taking out loans to cover a tax bill and the share price drops post IPO, you still have to pay the taxes,” said Giovanni Tiso, a certified financial planner at Titan.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
Ma has been certified as a referee by FIFA, the global governing body for football, since 2011.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
“Sometimes they file an extension because they didn’t start early enough to get organized and gather their 1099s and other forms,” said Jessica Banitt, a Houston-based certified public accountant and certified financial planner.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026
They were practical professionals, like nurses and teachers and certified med techs.
From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
