Word
certify
Phoneticscer·ti·fy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɝtəˌfaɪ/
UK/sˈɜːtɪfˌaɪ/
Definitions
01to confirm a standard
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to give someone an official document that says they have passed a test or reached a high level.
v. to attest that a person, product, or organization has met a specific official standard or requirement.
“The institute will certify you as a professional accountant after you pass the final exam.”
“The agency refused to certify the new medical device until the manufacturer provided more comprehensive data regarding long-term patient safety.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice: 'to be certified as'.
02to verify a fact
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
v. to state officially that something is true or correct, usually in writing.
v. to attest to a fact or the truth of a statement, typically through a formal written declaration.
“A lawyer must certify that these copies are exactly the same as the original documents.”
“The chief financial officer was required to certify the accuracy of the annual accounts before they were released to the shareholders.”
03to inform
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
v. to tell someone that something is definitely true.
v. to inform or assure a person of the truth of a matter.
“The messenger arrived to certify the king of the army's victory.”
“The elderly clerk wrote to certify his employer that the debts had been settled in full, just as promised years prior.”
Real-World Examples
“This document certifies that you are the same person who appears in records with your NIE number and your old passport.” “The Academic is still after truth; they simply doubt they will ever be able to certify that they have reached it.” Etymology
From Old French certefier (“confirm, assure, make certain”). Compare French certifier.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domain
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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