certifiable

[ sur-tuh-fahy-uh-buhl, sur-tuh-fahy- ]

adjective

1. capable of being certified.
2. legally committable to a mental institution.
3. Sometimes Facetious. fit or ready for an insane asylum.
4. uncontrollable; insane:

   a certifiable desire.

Other Words From

• certi·fia·ble·ness noun
• certi·fia·bly adverb
• un·certi·fia·ble adjective
• un·certi·fia·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of certifiable¹

First recorded in 1840–50; certify + -able

Example Sentences

As a certifiably hangry type, I know that my outlook on life gets bleaker when my blood sugar dips.

From Salon

We’re living in an age in which many people are certifiably insane, or at least in denial.

From Washington Times

Christmas curmudgeon Walter is not on board, believing his son is a “certifiably insane” man living under the deranged delusion that he is an elf.

From Salon

Perhaps most significant, something else has changed since Trump first browbeat his way to the White House and into the hearts of Republicans: He’s now a certifiable, repeat loser.

From Los Angeles Times

His role, he said, is “to prove that hydrogen is safe, that hydrogen is certifiable, to get passenger butts in seats, to show the unit economics and develop a hydrogen supply chain.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• demented
• insane
• mad
• unhinged