English Reference

Word

MFA

Phoneticsmfa

Definitions

01security technology

B2 · Computing

n. Stands for Multi-Factor Authentication. It is a security system that asks for two or more ways to prove who you are before letting you log in.

n. Abbreviation for Multi-Factor Authentication. A security protocol requiring two or more independent credentials for identity verification, typically combining something the user knows, has, or is.

“The company requires all employees to use MFA to access their email from home.”

“Implementing MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access resulting from compromised passwords or phishing attacks.”

Technical

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun in technical contexts.

Synonyms

2FAtwo-step verification

02university degree

C1

n. Stands for Master of Fine Arts. This is a high-level university degree for people who study subjects like painting, writing, or acting.

n. Abbreviation for Master of Fine Arts. A postgraduate degree typically awarded for creative practice in the visual, performing, or literary arts.

“After finishing her MFA in creative writing, she published her first novel.”

“He decided to pursue an MFA to refine his technical skills and build a professional network within the contemporary art world.”

Academic

Usage

Usually takes 'an' as the indefinite article because the letter 'M' is pronounced starting with a vowel sound.

Synonyms

master's degree

03government department

C1

n. Stands for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is the government office that handles a country's relationships with other nations.

n. Abbreviation for Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The government department responsible for a state's foreign policy, international relations, and diplomatic missions.

“The MFA issued a statement regarding the new travel restrictions.”

“Diplomats from the MFA met with their counterparts to negotiate the terms of the bilateral trade agreement.”

Formal

Usage

Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific nation's ministry.

Synonyms

State DepartmentForeign Office

Real-World Examples

“I see a lot of comments saying that passkeys aren’t multi-factor authentication (MFA), but this is incorrect.”
Ars Technica · 11 Aug 2026

Domain

Security

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference