certify

[ sur-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈsɜr təˌfaɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR certify 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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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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

Words nearby certify

certified mail, certified milk, certified pasteurized milk, certified professional secretary, certified public accountant, certify, certiorari, certitude, certosina, cerulean, cerulean blue
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to certify

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

Example sentences from the Web for certify

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