certify

verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī 

certified; certifying

transitive verb

1

: to attest authoritatively: such as

a

: confirm

b

: to present in formal communication

c

: to attest as being true or as represented or as meeting a standard

d

: to attest officially to the insanity of

2

: to inform with certainty : assure

3

: to guarantee (a personal check) as to signature and amount by so indicating on the face

4

: to recognize as having met special qualifications (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within a field

agencies that certify teachers

certifier

ˈsər-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Synonyms

• attest
• authenticate
• avouch
• testify (to)
• vouch (for)
• witness

Choose the Right Synonym for certify

certify, attest, witness, vouch mean to testify to the truth or genuineness of something.

certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

synonyms see in addition approve

Examples of certify in a Sentence

A judge must certify the contract.

The document has been certified by the court.

The car dealer certifies each car before it is sold.

Has your doctor been certified?

Recent Examples on the Web

While there are more tailwinds for COMAC now than before, one of the biggest challenges for COMAC is getting certified by major authorities outside China. —Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 8 Apr. 2024

Read More: Why Heart Disease Research Still Favors Men To conduct the current analysis, the investigators selected 40 different bandage products from a variety of brands and sent them to a laboratory certified by the EPA. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

Babin left the department in April, according to the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, which certifies officers. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024

Once the votes are certified, either candidate could also request a recount, which they would be required to pay for. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Avalon Organics Therapy Thickening Shampoo This hair thickening shampoo for men is made with biotin and other natural ingredients that have been certified non-GMO to help men increase their hair follicles. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

He has been jailed since November 2023, when jurors convicted him of seven counts, including obstruction of the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress that certified Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory. —CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024

The results reported Tuesday night are unofficial until they are certified by the Garfield County government, which is expected to happen as soon as Friday. —Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024

The group did not certify another prominent measurement player, iSpotTV, which gained notice in 2022 for an alliance is struck with NBCUniversal. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English certifien, from Anglo-French certefier, from Late Latin certificare, from Latin certus certain — more at certain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

certify

verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī 

certified; certifying

1

: to guarantee to be true or valid or as claimed or meeting a standard

2

: to recognize as having met special qualifications within a field

certify teachers

certifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl

adjective

certification

ˌsərt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun

certifier

ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

certify

verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī 

certified; certifying

transitive verb

1

: to attest authoritatively

especially : to attest officially to the mental illness of

2

: to designate as having met the requirements to practice medicine or a particular medical specialty

intransitive verb

: to attest by a certificate

five year program leading to examination by the American Board which certifies in that specialty

—Bulletin of Meharry Medical College

certifiable

ˈsər-tə-ˌfī-ə-bəl, ˌsər-tə-ˈfī-

adjective

certifiably

-blē 

adverb

Legal Definition

certify

transitive verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī 

certified; certifying

1

: to state authoritatively: as

a

: to give assurance of the validity of

certify corporate records

b

: to present in formal communication (as an order) especially for review by an appellate court

the court may certify the question to the Supreme Judicial Court

—R. T. Gerwatowski

see also certification

c

: to state as being true or as reported or as meeting a standard

refused to certify the suit as a class action and dismissed it

—Marcia Coyle

2

: to guarantee (a personal check) as to signature and amount by so indicating (as by stamping certified) on the face see also certified check at check

3

a

: certificate, license

b

: to designate (a labor union) as an exclusive bargaining agent or representative

Etymology

Medieval Latin certificare, from Late Latin, to assure, convince, from Latin certus certain + -ficare to make