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.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
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.”
Opposites
How to use codify
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.