confirm

Formsconfirms, confirming, confirmed

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To state that earlier statements or claims are accurate.

   The witnesses confirm that everything happened as reported.

   Lab results confirmed the doctor's initial diagnosis.

   Similarverify, corroborate, substantiate, validate, affirm

   Oppositedeny, refute, contradict, disprove

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To formally approve a proposal or a nomination.

   The committee confirmed the chairman's nomination after a long debate.

   Lawmakers must confirm the appointment before she can take office.

   Similarapprove, ratify, endorse, sanction, authorize

   Oppositereject, veto, block

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To strengthen something, or to make a person firm and resolute.

   The setback only confirmed his determination to succeed.

   Such trials confirm us in our deepest convictions.

   Similarstrengthen, reinforce, fortify, bolster, harden

   Oppositeweaken, undermine, shake, erode

   Note

   This is the oldest sense and the one closest to the Latin: confirmare meant "to make firm, strengthen, establish," built on firmus, "firm." With a person as object it usually takes in: trials confirm us in our convictions. With a quality as object, such as determination or resolve, it makes that quality sturdier. Proving something true is the job of the "verify" meaning.

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To administer the Christian sacrament of confirmation to someone.

   The bishop confirmed thirty young people during the Easter service.

   Each year the diocese invites a bishop to confirm the new candidates.

   Note

   The Christian rite carries the word's root idea of strengthening. A baptized person is strengthened in faith and admitted to fuller membership of the church, traditionally by a bishop's laying on of hands. The person confirmed usually appears in the passive: he was confirmed. Keith Thomas records that Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII, was baptized and confirmed at three days old.

5. 5
   adverbManglishSinglish

   Certainly; without a doubt.

   Confirm, that was the funniest movie of the year.

   Best vacation ever, confirm.

   Similardefinitely, totally, absolutely, certainly

   Note

   Singlish and Manglish turn the verb into an unchanging adverb of certainty. It often sits directly before the words it vouches for, as in "is confirm not" or "confirm gone," rather than only at the edge of a sentence. Like definitely, it has no comparative: nobody says "more confirm." Outside these varieties, definitely or for sure does the same work.

   This is confirm not my handwriting.

   That ex-lecturer-to-be confirm gone case liao.

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