certify

1 of 2

verb

cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
certified; certifying
Synonyms of certifynext

transitive verb

1
: to attest authoritatively: such as
a
: confirm
b
: to present in formal communication
c
: to attest as being true or as represented or as meeting a standard
d
: to attest officially to the insanity of
2
: to inform with certainty : assure
3
: to guarantee (a personal check) as to signature and amount by so indicating on the face
4
: to recognize as having met special qualifications (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within a field
agencies that certify teachers
certifier
ˈsər-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce certify (audio)
noun

certifier

2 of 2

noun

cer·​ti·​fi·​er ˈsər-tə-ˌfīr How to pronounce certifier (audio)
-ˌfī-ər
plural -s
: one that certifies

Synonyms of certify

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for certify

certify, attest, witness, vouch mean to testify to the truth or genuineness of something.

certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

synonyms see in addition approve

Examples of certify in a Sentence

Verb A judge must certify the contract. The document has been certified by the court. The car dealer certifies each car before it is sold. Has your doctor been certified?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The products are also certified cruelty-free and all made in the USA. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 7 July 2026 This top-loading washing machine is Energy Star-certified, which helps to keep your costs down. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026 More on the Bojangles data breach case The plaintiffs want the case certified as a class action and decided by a jury. — Chase Jordan july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 But registrars in Orange and Los Angeles counties have already certified their election results, so voters have a fairly clear picture of who will be on their ballots in the fall. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for certify

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English certifien, from Anglo-French certefier, from Late Latin certificare, from Latin certus certain — more at certain

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of certify was in the 14th century

Rhymes for certify

See All Rhymes for certify

Browse Nearby Words

certifier
certify
certiorari
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Certify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/certify. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

certify

verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
certified; certifying
1
: to guarantee to be true or valid or as claimed or meeting a standard
2
: to recognize as having met special qualifications within a field
certify teachers
certifiable
-ˌfī-ə-bəl
adjective
certification
ˌsərt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
noun
certifier
ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce certify (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

certify

verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsərt-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
certified; certifying

transitive verb

1
: to attest authoritatively
especially : to attest officially to the mental illness of
2
: to designate as having met the requirements to practice medicine or a particular medical specialty

intransitive verb

: to attest by a certificate
five year program leading to examination by the American Board which certifies in that specialty—Bulletin of Meharry Medical College
certifiable
ˈsər-tə-ˌfī-ə-bəl, ˌsər-tə-ˈfī-
adjective
certifiably
-blē How to pronounce certify (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

certify

transitive verb
cer·​ti·​fy ˈsər-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce certify (audio)
certified; certifying
1
: to state authoritatively: as
a
: to give assurance of the validity of
certify corporate records
b
: to present in formal communication (as an order) especially for review by an appellate court
the court may certify the question to the Supreme Judicial Court—R. T. Gerwatowski
see also certification
c
: to state as being true or as reported or as meeting a standard
refused to certify the suit as a class action and dismissed it—Marcia Coyle
2
: to guarantee (a personal check) as to signature and amount by so indicating (as by stamping certified) on the face see also certified check at check
3
a
: certificate, license
b
: to designate (a labor union) as an exclusive bargaining agent or representative
Etymology

Transitive verb

Medieval Latin certificare, from Late Latin, to assure, convince, from Latin certus certain + -ficare to make

More from Merriam-Webster on certify

Nglish: Translation of certify for Spanish Speakers

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