ENGLISH
REFERENCE

validate

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈvæɫədeɪt// UK //vˈælɪdˌeɪt// val·i·date Archaic

v. to prove that something is true, correct, or useful. You also use this when you check that a ticket or document is legal and ready to use.

v. to demonstrate or support the truth or value of something; to give official sanction or legal force to a document or process. Often involves checking for compliance with established standards or rules.


SIMPLE

The scientist ran more tests to validate the results.

CONTEXTUAL

You must validate your train ticket at the machine on the platform before you board.

COMPLEX

The recent market data serves to validate the company's long-term strategy of investing in renewable energy despite the initial high costs.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

First attested in 1648; borrowed from Medieval Latin validātus (“to validate”) (perhaps through Middle French valider), the perfect passive participle of validō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from validus + -ō (verb-forming suffix). By surface analysis, valid + -ate.

Etymology 2

First attested in 1586; borrowed from Medieval Latin validātus, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymolgy 1 for more.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a theory, a feeling, or a document.

Pitfall

The results validated by the team.The results were validated by the team.Learners often use the past participle alone as a main verb; 'validate' requires an auxiliary verb in the passive voice.

© 2026 English Reference