certify

verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
certified; certifying

transitive verb

1
: to attest authoritatively: such as
a
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 noun
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 On January 5, 2021, the day before the House was to certify the Electoral College results, Cheney arranged for Representative Chip Roy to address a closed-door meeting of the Republican conference. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Vernon is a fragrance expert certified in Advanced Olfaction through fragrance house Cinquième Sens. Vernon’s consults cost $65 and are primarily done virtually. Alice Wolfe, Allure, 15 Mar. 2024 The base is CertiPUR (no chemicals like formaldehyde, lead, or flame retardants), and the cover is Oeko-Tex certified (independently verified to be free of harmful substances). Nena Farrell, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024 The rest are the 737 Max 7 model, which hasn’t even been certified to fly by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yet. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 All Helix Kids mattresses are not only tested for lead and phthalate, but all foams used inside are CertiPUR-US certified. Lauren Levy, Parents, 11 Mar. 2024 The dyes are certified to use in and around potable waters. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024 The results must be certified by April 4, and the registrar expects to use the full certification period to make sure the results are accurate. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 Tulum is one of the best places in Mexico to get PADI certified. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2024

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of certify was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near certify

Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certify. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

certify

verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

certify

verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
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 specialtyBulletin of Meharry Medical College
certifiable
ˈsər-tə-ˌfī-ə-bəl, ˌsər-tə-ˈfī-
adjective
certifiably adverb

Legal Definition

certify

transitive verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
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 CourtR. 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 itMarcia 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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on certify

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