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noun Uncommon

notary

NOH-tuh-ree

Notary (noun) means a person legally authorized to witness signatures, certify documents, and administer oaths. Example: “The contract needed to be signed in front of a notary.”

noun
1
A person legally authorized to witness signatures, certify documents, and administer oaths.
"The contract needed to be signed in front of a notary."

How to use notary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn official who verifies signatures and documents to make them legally valid.

Easily confused with
notary public
Common pairings
notary public sign before a notary notarize a document

Word forms

notaries plural

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The contract needed to be signed in front of a _____.

Etymology

From Latin notarius ("clerk, secretary"), via Old French notarie.

Origin: Latin

civil law notary Latin notary notary-at-law

Rhymes for notary

See all rhymes for notary →

Frequently asked questions

What does “notary” mean?

The word “notary” means a person legally authorized to witness signatures, certify documents, and administer oaths. In plain terms, an official who verifies signatures and documents to make them legally valid.

How do you pronounce “notary”?

“Notary” is pronounced NOH-tuh-ree (/ˈnoʊtəɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “notary” in a sentence?

Here is “notary” used in a sentence: “The contract needed to be signed in front of a notary.”

What is another word for “notary”?

Words with a similar meaning to “notary” include civil law notary, Latin notary and notary-at-law.

What part of speech is “notary”?

“Notary” is a noun.

Where does the word “notary” come from?

The word “notary” comes from Latin. From Latin notarius ("clerk, secretary"), via Old French notarie.

Is “notary” a common word?

“Notary” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial