verify

1 of 2

verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

transitive verb

1

: to establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of

verify the claim

2

: to confirm or substantiate in law by oath

verifier

ˈver-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

verifier

2 of 2

noun

ver·​i·​fi·​er -ˌfī(ə)r 

-īə

plural -s

1

: one that searches for or discovers verification

2

: one that serves as verification

the problem of verifying beliefs … where the verifier lies beyond experience

—J. W. Yolton

3

: a machine used to check the correctness of the previous recording of data (as by punching cards or magnetizing tape)

Synonyms of verify

Verb

• confirm

Choose the Right Synonym for verify

confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, authenticate, validate mean to attest to the truth or validity of something.

confirm implies the removing of doubts by an authoritative statement or indisputable fact.

confirmed the reports

corroborate suggests the strengthening of what is already partly established.

witnesses corroborated his story

substantiate implies the offering of evidence that sustains the contention.

the claims have yet to be substantiated

verify implies the establishing of correspondence of actual facts or details with those proposed or guessed at.

all statements of fact in the article have been verified

authenticate implies establishing genuineness by adducing legal or official documents or expert opinion.

handwriting experts authenticated the diaries

validate implies establishing validity by authoritative affirmation or by factual proof.

validated the hypothesis by experiments

Examples of verify in a Sentence

Verb

She verified her flight number.

He verified that the item was in stock.

Can you verify whether I am scheduled to work or not?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Herald could not independently verify communications between the airline and government officials, and the carrier has not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding the aborted trip. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026

This initial project will serve to verify the technology under real-world operating conditions before beginning wider commercial production. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026

The Jackson County Election Board initially verified about 745 signatures, which was insufficient to trigger a recall election. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

The Cobb County Medical Examiner declined to verify either spelling. — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English verifien, borrowed from Anglo-French verifier, borrowed from Medieval Latin vērificāre, from Latin vērus "true" + -ficāre -fy — more at very entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for verify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

verify

verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

: to prove or check the truth, accuracy, or reality of

verify the claim

verifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r 

noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English verifien "to establish the truth of," from early French verifier (same meaning), from Latin verificare (same meaning), from earlier verus "true" — related to verdict, very

Legal Definition

verify

transitive verb

ver·​i·​fy ˈver-ə-ˌfī 

verified; verifying

1

: to confirm or substantiate by oath, affidavit, or deposition

verify a motion

2

: to establish the truth, accuracy, or reality of

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French verifier, from Medieval Latin verificare, from Latin verus true + -ficare to make