English Reference

Word

certificate

Phoneticscer·tifi·cate

/sɝˈtɪfɪkət/

Definitions

01official record

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Law

n. an official paper that proves a fact about a person, like when they were born or married.

n. an official document recording a significant life event or legal fact, such as a birth, marriage, or death.

“You need to show your birth certificate to apply for a new passport.”

“The solicitor requested a certified copy of the death certificate to finalise the distribution of the estate.”

02educational qualification

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Education

n. a document you receive for completing a course of study or passing an exam.

n. a document confirming that a person has successfully completed a specific course of study or passed a professional examination.

“She received a certificate in web design after finishing the six-month course.”

“Candidates who successfully complete the advanced module will be awarded a professional certificate recognised by the national board.”

03digital security

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical

n. a digital file that proves a website or computer is safe and who they say they are.

n. an electronic document used to prove the ownership of a public key, ensuring secure communication over a network.

“The browser showed a warning because the website's security certificate had expired.”

“The administrator updated the SSL certificate on the server to maintain encrypted connections for all remote users.”

Synonyms

digital IDpublic key certificate

04film rating

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. an official age rating given to a movie.

n. an official classification assigned to a motion picture by a rating board, indicating its suitability for specific age groups.

“The new horror movie was given an 18 certificate because of the violence.”

“The cinema manager strictly enforced the age restrictions associated with the film's 15 certificate.”

05to provide a document

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to give someone an official certificate to show they have reached a certain standard.

v. to attest to or confirm a status or level of achievement by issuing a formal document.

“The agency will certificate all students who pass the final safety test.”

“The governing body intends to certificate the new laboratory once the final inspection of the ventilation system is complete.”

Synonyms

certifyvalidateaccredit

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “certificate” in context.

Verb

01. award a certificate

“The school awarded a certificate to every student who finished the marathon.”

verb + noun

02. issue a certificate

“The local council will issue a certificate once the building inspection is complete.”

verb + noun

03. present a certificate

“The director presented a certificate of achievement to the top-performing employee.”

verb + noun

Adjective

04. fake certificate

“He was arrested for trying to enter the country with a fake certificate of citizenship.”

adj + noun

05. medical certificate

“You need to provide a medical certificate if you are absent from work for more than three days.”

adj + noun

06. valid certificate

“Please ensure you have a valid certificate before you attempt to board the vessel.”

adj + noun

Noun

07. birth certificate

“You must submit a copy of your birth certificate to apply for a passport.”

noun + noun

08. gift certificate

“I received a fifty-dollar gift certificate for my favorite bookstore.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“Office for National Statistics data show pregabalin was mentioned on 2,360 death certificates for drug-related poisonings in England and Wales between 2020 and 2024, compared with 768 between 2015 and 2019.”
BBC News 18 Aug 2026
“She runs her hand over the birth certificates before carefully placing them back inside.”
Al Jazeera 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French certificat.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

certificate(B2)

Domains

ComputingEducationLawSecurity

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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