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certify

[ sur-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈsɜr təˌfaɪ /
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See synonyms for: certify / certified / certifier on Thesaurus.com

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).
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM certify

cer·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. 2023

How to use certify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for certify

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 forms of certify

certifier, 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
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