certifiable

adjective

cer·​ti·​fi·​able ˈsər-tə-ˌfī-ə-bəl How to pronounce certifiable (audio)
ˌsər-tə-ˈfī-
1
a
: capable of being certified
certifiable teachers
b
chiefly US : genuine, authentic
a certifiable liar/genius
2
dated, informal + disparaging : marked by thought or action that lacks reason
downright certifiable behavior
Anyone and everyone who says they can't live without a telephone (and that includes me) is clearly certifiable.Camilla Sorsbie
certifiably
ˈsər-tə-ˌfī-ə-blē How to pronounce certifiable (audio)
ˌsər-tə-ˈfī-
adverb

Examples of certifiable in a Sentence

Anyone who would run in front of a car like that is certifiable. We called in a certifiable expert on legal issues. A handful of cinema's certifiable masterpieces are in need of restoration.
Recent Examples on the Web And behind 2023’s first certifiable film hit is one of the most exciting voices in horror: screenwriter Akela Cooper. Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2023 The Corvette was a certifiable hit by the end of 1962. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022 Alternatively, On’s ultra-light Cloudswift running shoe will be a certifiable treat for your feet on travel days, taking you from the jet bridge to an eight-hour walking tour with zero stress. Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 July 2022 The Ferrari Purosangue may be controversial, but it’s also already a certifiable hit. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2022 Isaac Mizrahi has been a certifiable star since the 1995 fashion documentary Unzipped, which then made way for his early-2000s TV talk show, a QVC line, cabaret shows at Café Carlyle, and now his Broadway debut as Amos Hart in Chicago. Alicia Kennedy, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Nov. 2022 While the world does host a fair number of certifiable boneheads, most people are alright. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2022 Alex LeVine, co-founder and chief executive of the 2-year-old, L.A.-based vape brand PodTones and a certifiable weed nerd, said there are clues that can be gleaned by digging into a COA’s list of additional cannabinoids and terpenes. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 The primary recipient of the program's funding have been crisis pregnancy centers, and proponents of the initiative have championed its success in preventing abortions in Texas despite a lack of certifiable outcomes. Dan Carson, Chron, 1 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'certifiable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of certifiable was in 1688

Dictionary Entries Near certifiable

Cite this Entry

“Certifiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certifiable. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on certifiable

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!