Confirmation

/ˌkɒnfərˈmeɪʃən/

nounIntermediateVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of verifying or establishing the truth or correctness of something; the state of being confirmed.

/ˌkɒnfərˈmeɪʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

The action of confirming something or the state of being confirmed.

I need confirmation of your attendance.

💡 Simply: Confirmation is like when you double-check something to make sure it's correct, like asking someone to say 'yes' again when you're making plans.

👶 For kids: When you get confirmation, it means someone says it's true or okay.

More Examples

2

We are waiting for confirmation from the bank.

3

The confirmation of the results took several weeks.

How It's Used

Business

"We await confirmation of the order."

Religious

"The church offers confirmation to young adults."

Legal

"The judge requested confirmation of the evidence."

2

A religious rite, often for young people, that affirms their commitment to a faith or church.

/ˌkɒnfərˈmeɪʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

A ceremony in which a young person is admitted as a member of a church.

The young adults were preparing for their confirmation.

💡 Simply: Confirmation is like a special church ceremony where kids say they believe.

👶 For kids: Confirmation is a special day at church to say you believe in God.

More Examples

2

She received her confirmation at the age of 13.

3

The church hosted a beautiful ceremony for the confirmation.

How It's Used

Religious

"The Confirmation ceremony is a significant event for the youth."

Tip:Confirmation is like a formal declaration of faith, sealing the deal.

Idioms & expressions

Confirmation bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs.

"People with confirmation bias will seek out news articles that support their views."

From Middle French confirmation, from Latin confirmātiō (“a strengthening, establishing; assurance”), from confirmō (“to strengthen, establish”), from com- (“with, together”) + firmō (“make firm, strengthen”).

The word has been used since the 14th century, initially in a religious context, but expanded to other meanings over time.

Memory tip

Think of confirming something: you're making sure it's true or real.

confimationconfirmatiionconfirmashion

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written