certify

Everyday

1. To say officially, often in writing, that something is true or correct: «The doctor certified that he was ill.» tree →
2. To give someone an official paper showing they have trained and passed: «She was certified as a lifeguard.» tree →
3. To officially say that something meets a standard: «certified organic». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday and adult life, certificates are official papers: birth certificates, swimming certificates, exam results. A «certified» teacher, nurse or electrician has proven training. In law, a doctor can certify a death or illness. Noun: certification, certificate.

Examples

• The swimming coach will certify that you can swim 25 metres. tree →
• The eggs are certified free-range. tree →
• My aunt is a certified first-aid trainer. tree →
• The doctor certified that I needed a week off school. tree →
• The judges certified the new world record. tree →
• A teacher must certify that this is your own work. tree →
• All the doctors could certify to that and they all put their names to this and appended their seals, and then they had done all they could. tree →

Note

y changes to i: certifies, certified. Formal word. Related: certain, certificate. Do not confuse with «certificate» (the paper) and «certify» (the action).