authenticate

[ aw-then-ti-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, au·then·ti·cat·ed, au·then·ti·cat·ing.

1. to establish as genuine.

   Synonyms: substantiate, validate, confirm

2. to establish the authorship or origin of conclusively or unquestionably, chiefly by the techniques of scholarship:

   to authenticate a painting.

3. to make authoritative or valid.

authenticate

/ ɔːˈθɛntɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to establish as genuine or valid
2. to give authority or legal validity to

Derived Forms

• auˈthentiˌcator, noun
• auˌthentiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• au·thenti·cata·ble adjective
• nonau·thenti·cated adjective
• nonau·thenti·cation noun
• reau·thenti·cate verb (used with object) reauthenticated reauthenticating
• self-au·thenti·cating adjective
• unau·thenti·cated adjective
• well-au·thenti·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of authenticate¹

First recorded in 1565–75; from Medieval Latin authenticātus “made authentic” (past participle of authenticāre ). See authentic, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

This helps to reduce thefts, but also means counterfeit Parmigiano Reggiano can be identified, as each tiny chip contains a unique digital ID that can authenticate the cheese.

From BBC

These days, Major League Baseball positions employees in each dugout to immediately authenticate everything from milestone baseballs to gear worn by players.

From Los Angeles Times

He then worked with a leading Chopin expert to authenticate the score.

From BBC

To many commenters online, Vance’s casual dismissal of the need to authenticate slanderous claims about an ethnic group evoked propaganda campaigns of the past.

From Los Angeles Times

Authenticate unexpected requests for sensitive information.

From Salon

Related Words

• attest
• corroborate
• substantiate
• validate
• verify