verify

verify — verb

1. To examine information, evidence, or facts to decide whether they are true or co

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To examine information, evidence, or facts to decide whether they are true or correct.

Example

The police verified the suspect's alibi by checking phone records.

verify + direct object (checking physical evidence)

Lien called the hotel to verify that her reservation was still valid.

verify + that-clause

Common collocations
  • verify the accuracy
  • verify the identity
  • verify the results
  • verify the information
  • verify the data
  • verify the details
Synonyms
  • confirm

    More general; can apply to agreements and arrangements, not just factual evidence

  • check

    Less formal and often quicker; may not involve thorough examination

  • validate

    More technical and formal; implies meeting official standards

  • authenticate

    Specifically about proving genuineness or origin, often of documents or identities

Antonyms
  • disprove

    Showing something is false rather than true

  • refute

    Formal; proving a claim is wrong with evidence or argument

Grammar Patterns

verify + noun phrase (evidence, identity, results)

verify + that-clause

be verified + by + agent

Usage Note

Commonly takes direct objects that are factual claims, data, identities, or sources of information. The passive form (be verified) is frequent in formal and administrative writing.

Common Mistakes

I called the restaurant to verify the reservation.
I called the restaurant to confirm the reservation.
'verify' means checking factual accuracy through evidence; 'confirm' is used for checking arrangements or agreements.
The scientist verified her theory was correct by publishing it.
The scientist proved her theory was correct by conducting experiments.
'verify' requires examination of evidence; 'prove' is stronger and implies final demonstration.

2. To swear or officially declare that something is true, particularly in a legal s

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

To swear or officially declare that something is true, particularly in a legal setting or on a formal document.

Example

The witness verified her statement in court under oath.

verify + statement + in court (legal context)

Devika verified the authenticity of the contract by signing it before a notary.

verify + authenticity of [document] + before a notary

Common collocations
  • verify a statement
  • verify a document
  • verify a signature
  • verify under oath
  • verify before a notary
  • verified by a lawyer
Synonyms
  • attest

    Formal; focuses on bearing witness to a fact, often in writing

  • certify

    Official confirmation, often by an authority or institution

  • swear

    Specifically about making a promise before a higher authority (God, court)

Grammar Patterns

verify + noun phrase (statement, document, signature)

be verified + by + legal authority

verify + under oath

Usage Note

Almost exclusively found in legal, judicial, and formal administrative contexts. The subject is typically a person acting in an official capacity, such as a witness, notary, or expert. The object is usually a written document or formal statement.

Word family

  • verification
    nounB2
  • verified
    adjectiveB2
  • verifiable
    adjectiveC1
  • verifiably
    adverbC1
  • verifier
    nounC1
  • unverified
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words relate to establishing truth or correctness, but they differ in formality, scope, and method. 'Verify' (B2) implies examining evidence or comparing against a standard — it is common in science, administration, and journalism. 'Confirm' (B1) is broader and more neutral; you can confirm an appointment, a suspicion, or a fact without necessarily examining physical evidence. 'Validate' (C1) is more technical and suggests meeting official criteria — a theory is validated by data, a ticket is validated by a stamp. 'Authenticate' (C1) focuses on proving origin and genuineness, especially for documents, artworks, or identities. 'Check' (A2) is the most casual and fastest — a quick look to see if something is acceptable. For everyday use: 'Please check the door is locked.' For factual evidence: 'The data was verified by an independent team.' For official approval: 'The certificate has been validated.'

confirm ↗validate ↗authenticate ↗check ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • verification process
  • verification system
  • verification method

Adverbs

  • independently verified
  • officially verified
  • formally verified
  • properly verified

Phrases

  • verify the accuracy of something
  • verify the identity of someone
  • verify the validity of something

Prepositions

  • verified by
  • verified with
  • verified against

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'verify' entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'verifier', which came from Latin 'verificare' — a combination of 'verus' (true) and 'facere' (to make). So its original sense was literally 'to make true'. By the 16th century it had shifted to mean 'to prove or confirm the truth of something by examination.' The legal sense of affirming under oath emerged in the 17th century as courts required formal sworn statements.