Certify

//ˈsɜː.tɪ.faɪ// verb

verb ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To attest to (a fact) as the truth. transitive
  2. 2
    provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes wordnet
  3. 3
    To authenticate or verify in writing. transitive
  4. 4
    declare legally insane wordnet
  5. 5
    To attest that a product, service, organization, or person has met an official standard. transitive

    "These blankets have been certified as fireproof."

Show 5 more definitions
  1. 6
    guarantee payment on; of checks wordnet
  2. 7
    To inform; to tell (a person) that something is true. archaic, transitive

    "Our deeds do us three manners of service. First, they certify us that we are heirs of everlasting life, and that the Spirit of God, which is the earnest thereof, is in us."

  3. 8
    authorize officially wordnet
  4. 9
    To assure (oneself) of something; to ascertain. archaic, reflexive

    "After having certified himself of her own good health, he very kindly inquired about her mother and Miss Sophy […]."

  5. 10
    guarantee as meeting a certain standard wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
attestattestauthenticatelicensevalidateaccept

Example

More examples

"Records certify that Bob passed his driving test."

Etymology

From Old French certefier (“confirm, assure, make certain”). Compare French certifier.

Related phrases

self-certify

More for "certify"

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.