# accredited

/əˈkɹɛdɪtɪd/ (US) · /ɐkɹˈɛdɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accredited
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. officially recognised

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic · Formal

having official approval from an organisation that checks quality.

For teachers: officially recognised or authorised by an external governing body after meeting specific criteria.

- You should make sure you study at an accredited college so your degree is valid.
- The hospital lost its accredited status after failing to meet the updated safety protocols required by the national health board.

Usage: Often used before a noun to describe institutions like schools, hospitals, or laboratories.

Teaching tip: In professional contexts, this word is stronger than 'recognised' because it implies a formal audit or inspection has taken place.

## Examples

- She only applies to accredited universities.
- The hospital lost its accredited status after failing to meet the new safety regulations during the inspection.
- To ensure the validity of the research findings, the samples were sent to an accredited laboratory that follows international protocols for chemical analysis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.