verify
C1Formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
To make sure or demonstrate that something is true, accurate, or justified.
To check, confirm, or substantiate the truth, accuracy, or validity of a fact, statement, process, or identity through evidence, investigation, or established procedure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a systematic, official, or authoritative checking process, or the application of a formal test. Differs from 'check' in its greater formality and implication of proof.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The verb forms (verified, verifies, verifying) are identical in spelling and use. The noun forms 'verification' and 'verifier' are also standard in both.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes a formal process. In UK legal contexts, might be used with a slightly more procedural nuance. In US tech/business contexts, strongly associated with identity or data checks.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, particularly in tech, security, and customer service contexts (e.g., 'verify your email', 'verify your identity').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
verify + NP (verify the data)verify + that-clause (verify that the statement is true)verify + wh-clause (verify whether he arrived)verify + NP + to be + NP/ADJ (verify the document to be authentic)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for checking financial details, compliance, or customer information. 'The bank must verify your income before approving the loan.'
Academic
Used in research to confirm results or validate data. 'The experiment was repeated to verify the initial findings.'
Everyday
Less common; used for checking facts or details. 'Can you verify the time of the meeting?'
Technical
Central in computing for checking data integrity, user identity, or system status. 'The software uses a checksum to verify the downloaded file.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please verify your address with the council.
- We need to verify the witness's statement before proceeding.
American English
- The system will ask you to verify your email.
- Could you verify the source of that quote?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I called the office to verify the appointment time.
- Please verify your password.
- The accountant must verify all expenses before reimbursement.
- Scientists aim to verify the hypothesis through further experimentation.
- The notary public verified the authenticity of the signatures on the document.
- Independent auditors were brought in to verify the company's financial statements.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'VERIFY' as making a fact VERY TRUE. Or, remember it contains 'VERI-' (like 'very' or 'verity' meaning truth) + '-FY' (to make). So, 'to make true'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS SOLIDITY / VALIDITY IS A SEAL. Verification is seen as solidifying a claim or stamping it with a seal of approval.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not synonymous with 'to see' (видеть) or 'to look' (смотреть). It is closer to 'подтверждать', 'проверять (и подтвердить)' or 'удостоверять'.
- Do not confuse with 'to certify' (сертифицировать), which is a more formal, often official, subset of verification.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'verify' for simple, informal checks (use 'check' instead).
- Confusing with 'justify' (to give a good reason for). 'He verified his actions' means he proved they happened; 'He justified his actions' means he gave reasons why they were acceptable.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'verify' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Verify' often implies checking with evidence or investigation to establish truth, especially where doubt might exist. 'Confirm' can be simpler, often just reinforcing something already believed or stated (e.g., 'confirm a booking'). In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 'verify' is more procedural.
Primarily, yes. It is used for information, identities, processes, and results. It is not typically used for feelings or abstract concepts (you wouldn't 'verify your love').
Yes, very commonly. E.g., 'The data has been verified by an expert.', 'Your account needs to be verified.'
The main noun is 'verification' (the process or result of verifying). A person or thing that verifies is a 'verifier'.