What does "confirm" mean?

1. (to verify information) to say or show that something is definitely true or correct. 2. (to make a plan final) to make an arrangement or a meeting final. 3. (religious rite) to welcome someone as a full member of a Christian church in a special ceremony. 4. (definitely) used to say that something is definitely going to happen or is true.

How do you use "confirm"?

Often followed by a 'that' clause or a noun phrase. Commonly used in business contexts regarding bookings and appointments. Usually used in the passive voice when referring to the person receiving the rite. Typical of Singlish and Manglish; often placed at the end of a sentence.

confirm

v. · adv.

US //kənˈfɝm// UK //kənfˈɜːm// con·firm

1 to verify information (v.)
B1 Intermediate General-service

to say or show that something is definitely true or correct.

to establish the truth or correctness of something previously believed, suspected, or stated.

Example

The police were able to confirm that the man was telling the truth.

Example

The latest laboratory results confirm the researchers' initial hypothesis regarding the chemical stability of the new compound.

Usage

Often followed by a 'that' clause or a noun phrase.
2 to make a plan final (v.)
B1 Intermediate General-service

to make an arrangement or a meeting final.

to make a provisional arrangement, appointment, or agreement definite and final.

Example

I am calling to confirm my hotel reservation for next Tuesday.

Example

The board of directors met yesterday to confirm the appointment of the new chief executive officer.

Usage

Commonly used in business contexts regarding bookings and appointments.
- cancel
- annul

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 religious rite (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Religion

to welcome someone as a full member of a Christian church in a special ceremony.

to administer the rite of confirmation to a person, admitting them to full church privileges.

Example

She was confirmed in the local cathedral when she was fourteen years old.

Example

The bishop visited the parish last Sunday to confirm twenty young members of the congregation.

Usage

Usually used in the passive voice when referring to the person receiving the rite.
4 definitely (adv.)
C1 Advanced Dialect Informal Slang

used to say that something is definitely going to happen or is true.

used as a sentence-final or standalone particle to indicate absolute certainty.

Example

Don't worry, he will come for the party confirm.

Example

If you don't study for the final exam, you will fail confirm.

Usage

Typical of Singlish and Manglish; often placed at the end of a sentence.

Teacher's tip

This adverbial use is specific to South East Asian English dialects like Singlish; it is not used this way in standard British or American English.
- definitely
- surely

Origin

From Middle English confirmen, confermen, from Old French confermer, from Latin cōnfirmāre (“to make firm, strengthen, establish”), from con- (“together”) + firmāre (“to make firm”), from firmus (“firm”).