confirm
kuhn-FURM
Confirm (verb) means to state or show that something is definitely true or accurate. Example: “The lab results confirmed the diagnosis.”
verb
1
To state or show that something is definitely true or accurate.
"The lab results confirmed the diagnosis."
"Can you confirm your appointment for tomorrow?"
"Please confirm that you received my email before the meeting starts."
2
To officially approve a proposal, nomination, or appointment.
"The Senate confirmed the new ambassador."
"The board met on Monday to confirm her as the new head of the department."
"Parliament must confirm the appointment before the judge can take office."
How to use confirm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make certain that something is true, or to officially approve something.
Common pairings
confirm a booking
confirm the news
confirm a nomination
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- confirms
- Past tense
- confirmed
- Archaic forms
- confirmest, confirmedst, confirmeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lab results _____ the diagnosis.
Etymology
From Old French confermer, from Latin cōnfirmāre, "to make firm" — from con- + firmāre ("to strengthen").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “confirm” mean?
The word “confirm” means to state or show that something is definitely true or accurate. In plain terms, to make certain that something is true, or to officially approve something.
How do you pronounce “confirm”?
“Confirm” is pronounced kuhn-FURM (/kənˈfɝm/ in IPA).
How do you use “confirm” in a sentence?
Here is “confirm” used in a sentence: “The lab results confirmed the diagnosis.”
What is the opposite of “confirm”?
The opposite of “confirm” — its antonyms — are infirm, disconfirm, deny, dispute and contradict.
What part of speech is “confirm”?
“Confirm” is a verb.
Where does the word “confirm” come from?
The word “confirm” comes from Latin. From Old French confermer, from Latin cōnfirmāre, "to make firm" — from con- + firmāre ("to strengthen").
Is “confirm” a common word?
“Confirm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “confirm” have?
“Confirm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to state or show that something is definitely true or accurate.
What is the difference between confirm and verify?
To confirm is to state or show that something is definitely true, often by giving assurance or approval. To verify goes a step further — it means actively checking evidence to prove something is accurate. You can confirm a booking by acknowledging it, but you verify facts by testing them against proof.
What is the difference between confirm and assume?
To confirm is to establish that something is definitely true, based on evidence or a reliable statement. To assume is to accept something as true without checking. Confirming removes doubt; assuming leaves it. Good practice is to confirm details rather than simply assume they are correct.
What is an example of confirming something?
Replying to say you will attend an event confirms your booking. A doctor reviewing test results to establish a diagnosis confirms it. Checking a reservation number to make sure a hotel room is reserved also confirms it — each case shows or states that something is definitely true.
What is the opposite of confirm?
The opposite of confirm is to deny, contradict, or refute — to state that something is not true. To cancel is another opposite in the sense of undoing a confirmed arrangement. Where confirming removes doubt and settles a matter, denying rejects it and reopens uncertainty.
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