Verify: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'verify' when you need to make sure something is true or accurate, often through cross-referencing or inspection.

• Please verify your email address to activate your account
• The detective needed to verify the alibi

Use 'confirm' when you need to establish the certainty or correctness of a previously stated fact or arrangement.

• Please confirm your attendance at the meeting
• The hotel called to confirm my reservation

Apply 'validate' when you need to ensure something meets a set of standards or criteria, or when affirming the legitimacy of a claim or emotion.

• The software needs to validate the data before processing
• It's essential to validate their feelings in a discussion

Apply 'authenticate' primarily in situations involving proving the identity of a person or the authenticity of an object, often through a formal process or system.

• Users must authenticate their identities before accessing the secure system
• The art expert was called in to authenticate the painting

Choose 'check' for general situations where you need to inspect, examine, or review something, often in a less formal context.

• Let me check my schedule before we make plans
• Always check the weather before heading out

You should use 'verify' when you need to check if something is true or accurate.

• Can you verify the accuracy of this report? We need to verify his identity before granting access

Use 'authenticate' when determining if something is genuine or official, often in the context of security.

• The software will authenticate your login details
• He provided documents to authenticate his claim

Appropriate when you need to acknowledge or assure that something will happen or has happened.

• I called to confirm my reservation
• Can you confirm that the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow?

Used to prove the legitimacy or correctness of something, often in terms of data or feelings.

• Can you validate the test results? Her feelings were validated by a professional therapist

Reserved for formal or official recognition of a standard or quality, often by an authority.

• The course will certify you as a fitness trainer
• The company is certified for its high safety standards

Used when ensuring that something is accurate, true, or meets certain criteria.

• Can you verify that all the information on this document is correct? Please verify your email address

Used when providing or seeking assurance that something is true, correct, or has been agreed upon.

• We need confirmation of your attendance
• She sent a confirmation email for the appointment

Used when confirming that something meets certain standards or criteria, often used in technical, scientific, or formal contexts.

• The software goes through several stages of validation
• This document needs validation from the manager

Used in the context of security and identity, ensuring that a user or device is who it claims to be.

• Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security
• The system requires authentication before granting access

Used in everyday situations to mean examining or inspecting something.

• Let me check my schedule
• Can you check if the door is locked?