codify

9 synonyms and 2 antonyms for codify, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To gather rules, practices or laws that already exist and set them out formally as a written system.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

classify catalogue organise

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

systematise formalise set down enshrine standardise encode

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To gather rules, practices or laws that already exist and set them out formally as a written system.

“Parliament voted to codify the right to repair into law.”

systematise formalise set down enshrine standardise

Opposites

repeal leave informal

2. verb

To arrange information into a code or ordered scheme.

“Librarians codified the collection by subject and period.”

classify catalogue encode organise

How to use codify

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

codify a right codify into law codify practice codify the rules formally codified

Formal, most at home in legal, political and organisational writing.

Etymology

From code, ultimately from Latin codex meaning a book or block of wood for writing, plus the verb ending -fy from Latin facere to make.

Full origin of codify →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between codify and encode?

To codify is to write scattered rules into a single organised body of rules. To encode is to convert information into a different form, such as a cipher or a file format. Only codify implies turning practice into official rules.

What is the difference between codify and ratify?

Codify is about writing rules down in systematic form. Ratify is about formally approving something that has already been drafted or signed, such as a treaty. A code can be codified first and ratified afterwards.

Can you codify something that is not a law?

Yes. Organisations codify hiring practices, style guides and safety procedures. The word simply means turning informal habit into a written, agreed standard.

People also searched

catalogue repeal organise classify encode standardise enshrine

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of codify