certify

[sur-tuh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

certified, certifying 

1. to attest as certain; give reliable information of; confirm.

   He certified the truth of his claim.

   Synonyms: guarantee, validate, verify, corroborate

2. to testify to or vouch for in writing.

   The medical examiner will certify his findings to the court.

3. to guarantee; endorse reliably.

   to certify a document with an official seal.

4. to guarantee (a check) by writing on its face that the account against which it is drawn has sufficient funds to pay it.

5. to award a certificate to (a person) attesting to the completion of a course of study or the passing of a qualifying examination.

6. to declare legally insane and committable to a mental institution.

7. Archaic.,  to assure or inform with certainty.

verb (used without object)

certified, certifying 

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

certify

/ ˈsɜːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to confirm or attest (to), usually in writing

   the letter certified her age

2. (tr) to endorse or guarantee (that certain required standards have been met)

3. to give reliable information or assurances

   he certified that it was Walter's handwriting

4. (tr) to declare legally insane

5. (tr) (of a bank) to state in writing on (a cheque) that payment is guaranteed

Other Word Forms

• certifier noun
• precertify verb (used with object)
• recertify verb (used with object)
• uncertifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of certify¹

1300–50; Middle English certifien < Middle French certifier < Late Latin certificāre, equivalent to Latin certi- (combining form of certus decided; certain ) + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of certify¹

C14: from Old French certifier, from Medieval Latin certificāre to make certain, from Latin certus _certain + facere to make

Example Sentences

In a separate statement on Friday, the state department said it would will not certify Colombia's counter-narcotics efforts.

Read more on BBC

"They can pay a small extra fee and get certified copies to send to multiple banks or utility companies to reinvent themselves."

Read more on BBC

The school will report to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights on progress each quarter, and interim UVA President Paul Mahoney will have to certify the report “under penalty of perjury.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“When you outline all the expectations up front, it reduces the chance of disappointment,” said Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner.

Read more on MarketWatch

The suggestions recommend escrow providers have relevant credentials, are subject to audits by certified accountants and have more than $10 million in bond coverage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accredit 
• approve 
• ascertain 
• authorize 
• confirm 
• endorse 
• guarantee 
• license 
• notify 
• validate 
• verify