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Certificate Meaning: Definition and Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：a document of completion (certificate)
certificate
/sərˈtɪfɪkət/
n.
A paper you get when you finish a course or pass an exam, showing you did it.
a document of completion
➕
/ə ˈdɒkjʊmənt ɒv kəmˈpliːʃən/
n.
An official document awarded after successfully finishing a course or passing an exam, serving as proof of achievement.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'certus' (sure) + 'facere' (to make) + '-ate', meaning 'to make certain'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: 'Certify + ate' → you ate a course? No, you got a paper that certifies your success!
📖 Example
After months of hard work, she proudly showed her parents the certificate proving she had passed the IELTS exam.
After months of hard work, she proudly showed her parents the certificate proving she had passed the IELTS exam.
🔗 Collocations
earn a certificate – to receive a certificate by completing requirements
certificate of achievement – a document recognizing successful completion
issue a certificate – to officially give a certificate to someone
🔄 Synonyms
diploma (n.) – A certificate awarded by an educational institution for completing a course of study.
credential (n.) – A qualification or achievement that shows a person is qualified for something.
attestation (n.) – A formal statement that something is true or valid.
🚫 Antonyms
failure notice (n.) – A document stating that a person did not meet the required standards.
🌱 Derivatives
certify (v.) – to officially confirm something is true or of a certain standard
certification (n.) – The process of giving or being given a certificate
📖 Cultural Story
Certificate entered English in the 15th century from Medieval Latin 'certificatum', a legal document used to attest facts. It evolved from the verb 'certificare' (to certify).
Meaning 2：an official proof of fact (certificate)
certificate
/sərˈtɪfɪkət/
n.
An official paper that proves something is true, like when or where you were born, or that you are healthy.
an official proof of fact
➕
/ən əˈfɪʃəl pruːf ɒv fækt/
n.
A formal document issued by an authority that verifies a specific fact, such as birth, health, or ownership.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Before boarding the international flight, he had to show his vaccination certificate at the check-in counter.
Before boarding the international flight, he had to show his vaccination certificate at the check-in counter.
🔗 Collocations
birth certificate – an official document recording a person's birth
medical certificate – a document from a doctor confirming a person's health condition
death certificate – an official document stating the date and cause of death
🔄 Synonyms
document (n.) – A piece of written or printed information that provides proof or evidence.
credential (n.) – A qualification or document that proves a person's identity or authority.
voucher (n.) – A piece of evidence or proof that something is true.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
certified (adj.) – having a certificate or being officially approved
certifiable (adj.) – able to be officially approved or proven
Wordbook
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