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

The National Labor Relations Board officially certified the union representing workers, but Amazon has appealed that ruling. —Jack Moore, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024

This will be the third flight of a Vulcan rocket, following two test flights this year to gather data for the US Space Force to certify the rocket for national security missions. —Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024

The Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems (SHOW UP) Act, which would require federal agencies to return to pre-pandemic telework levels within 30 days, and require agencies to submit telework plans to Congress to be certified by the Office of Personnel Management. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Notably, in October, a Cochise County official pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after refusing to certify the results of the 2022 midterm election. —Shamim Chowdhury, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 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