verify

Everyday

1. To check that something is true or correct: verify your answer. tree →
2. To prove or confirm that something is real or true: the photo verifies her story. tree →
3. (formal) To check someone's identity, for example with a code or password. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons "verify" is a common instruction: check your answer by another method, such as an inverse operation or estimating. In science it means testing a claim with evidence. In online safety, websites ask you to verify your email or age; scammers also send fake "verify your account" messages. Phrases: verify that, verify your answer, verify your identity, hard to verify.

Examples

• Verify your answer by using the inverse operation. tree →
• Can you verify that 3/4 is the same as 6/8? tree →
• (formal) Verify that the sum of the angles is 180 degrees. tree →
• The bank asked Mum to verify her identity. tree →
• Never click a strange link that says "verify your account" — ask an adult. tree →
• Scientists repeat experiments to verify their results. tree →
• The teacher verified that everyone had handed in homework. tree →
• In this way, and in this way only, I have been enabled to collect and verify the folklore included in this volume. tree →

Note

Forms: verifies, verified (y to i), verifying. The noun is verification. "Verify" is more formal than "check". In maths, to verify 45 + 37 = 82 you can work out 82 - 37 = 45. Messages asking you to verify passwords are often scams (phishing).