certify

[ sur-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing.

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)

, cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing.

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcertiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• certi·fier noun
• pre·certi·fy verb (used with object) precertified precertifying
• re·certi·fy verb (used with object) recertified recertifying
• un·certi·fying 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

Any voter or campaign can request a recount within five days of the election being certified, but must foot the costs, which could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for a Congressional race.

From Los Angeles Times

To ensure all the votes are counted, the state gives counties 30 days to finalize their tallies, and on Dec. 13 the secretary of state will certify the results.

From Los Angeles Times

The next step in the sequel comes when Congress certifies Trump’s win.

From Salon

However, these statements were clearly an allusion to the former president’s refusal to accept the 2020 election outcome and the ensuing insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress worked to certify the electoral college vote.

From Los Angeles Times

That these electors would lack legal standing — Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, is the only person who can legally certify the commonwealth's electors — may not be an obstacle in an increasingly politicized judiciary.

From Salon

Related Words

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