certify
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to give someone an official document that says they have passed a test or reached a high level.
to attest that a person, product, or organization has met a specific official standard or requirement.
Simple“The institute will certify you as a professional accountant after you pass the final exam.”
In context“The agency refused to certify the new medical device until the manufacturer provided more comprehensive data regarding long-term patient safety.”
UsageOften used in the passive voice: 'to be certified as'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to state officially that something is true or correct, usually in writing.
to attest to a fact or the truth of a statement, typically through a formal written declaration.
Simple“A lawyer must certify that these copies are exactly the same as the original documents.”
In context“The chief financial officer was required to certify the accuracy of the annual accounts before they were released to the shareholders.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to tell someone that something is definitely true.
to inform or assure a person of the truth of a matter.
Simple“The messenger arrived to certify the king of the army's victory.”
In context“The elderly clerk wrote to certify his employer that the debts had been settled in full, just as promised years prior.”
From Old French certefier (“confirm, assure, make certain”). Compare French certifier.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.