validate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make valid; substantiate; confirm.
Time validated our suspicions.
- Synonyms:
- prove, verify, authenticate
- Antonyms:
- disprove
-
to give legal force to; legalize.
-
to give official sanction, confirmation, or approval to, as elected officials, election procedures, documents, etc..
to validate a passport.
verb
-
to confirm or corroborate
-
to give legal force or official confirmation to; declare legally valid
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of validate
First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin validātus (past participle of validāre “to make valid”), equivalent to valid- ( see valid) + -ātus past participle suffix ( see -ate 1)
Explanation
To validate is to prove that something is based on truth or fact, or is acceptable. It can also mean to make something, like a contract, legal. You may need someone to validate your feelings, which means that you want to hear, “No, you’re not crazy. It’s acceptable to be angry about that.” Or you may need someone to validate your parking ticket — which means you have to prove that you bought something, so you can get parking for free. Whatever it is you are seeking to validate needs the added support or action from someone else to make it valid.
Vocabulary lists containing validate
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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The ACT: The Language of the Test, List 3
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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.
Validate your friend’s emotions, and help her focus on new opportunities.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026
"Validate that, if they're feeling angry, frustrated, upset, disappointed, all of those things are absolutely okay and fine to feel."
From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025
Validate their feelings and let their answers help you problem-solve.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2024
Validate my nerdy quest; Thus far all my best attempts have left Ms. Myers un-Empressed.
From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2019
Validate Iraq's legitimacy by resuming diplomatic relations, where appropriate, and reestablishing embassies in Baghdad. viii.
From The Iraq Study Group Report by Iraq Study Group (U.S.)
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.
