confirm

/kənˈfɜːm/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈfɜːrm/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈfərm/ (ame, mw)

confirm — verb

  • confirmpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • confirmshe / she / it
  • confirmedpast simple
  • confirming-ing form

1. to let someone know that a planned event, meeting, or reservation is definite an

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to let someone know that a planned event, meeting, or reservation is definite and will go ahead

例句

Leila called the hotel to confirm her reservation for Friday night.

confirm + noun phrase (reservation)

Please confirm your appointment by email at least twenty-four hours before your visit.

同義詞
  • book

    'book' is the act of making the arrangement; 'confirm' is the later step of making sure it is definite

  • reaffirm

    more formal and implies repeating an earlier confirmation

反義詞
  • cancel

    to call off an arrangement rather than make it definite

文法句型

confirm + noun phrase

confirm + that-clause

常見錯誤

❌I need to verify my hotel booking' (when the booking is already made and you just want to make sure it is still there).
✅I need to confirm my hotel booking.
💡'confirm' means you or the other side state it is definite; 'verify' means you check whether something is correct.

2. to provide evidence or information that removes any doubt about a fact, belief,

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to provide evidence or information that removes any doubt about a fact, belief, or claim

例句

The test results confirmed that the water from the well was safe to drink.

confirm + that-clause

Police confirmed the witness's account after reviewing the security footage.

同義詞
  • verify

    'verify' focuses on checking accuracy through testing; 'confirm' is broader and can mean supporting something that was suspected

  • corroborate

    more formal; implies supporting someone else's statement with additional evidence

  • validate

    implies proving something is logically or legally sound, not just factually true

反義詞
  • disprove

    to show that something is false

  • contradict

    to say the opposite of what has been claimed

文法句型

confirm + noun phrase

confirm + that-clause

be confirmed + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Often used in journalism and scientific writing. The subject is usually an investigation, test, report, or authority figure.

常見錯誤

❌The scientist confirmed the theory as correct' (unnatural with 'as').
✅The scientist confirmed that the theory was correct.
💡'confirm' takes a direct object or a that-clause, not 'confirm as'.

3. to admit a person into full membership of a Christian church through a formal ce

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to admit a person into full membership of a Christian church through a formal ceremony of confirmation

例句

The bishop visited the parish to confirm twelve young members of the church.

Yara was confirmed at the cathedral last spring alongside fifteen other teenagers.

passive: be confirmed

文法句型

confirm + person

be confirmed + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

This sense is specific to the Christian sacrament of confirmation, common in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions. Frequently used in the passive voice.

4. to make a feeling, opinion, or attitude even stronger or more firmly held than b

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make a feeling, opinion, or attitude even stronger or more firmly held than before

例句

Winning the award confirmed Theo's belief that hard work pays off.

The volunteer's experience at the hospital confirmed her wish to become a nurse.

同義詞
  • reinforce

    very close in meaning; 'reinforce' suggests adding strength to an existing structure

  • strengthen

    more general; can apply to physical or abstract things

  • solidify

    suggests making something more fixed and less likely to change

反義詞
  • weaken

    to make a feeling or belief less strong

  • shake

    to cause doubt in someone's belief or confidence

文法句型

confirm + noun phrase (belief/opinion/feeling)

用法筆記

The object is usually an abstract noun such as 'belief', 'fear', 'decision', 'opinion', or 'suspicion'. Unlike sense 2, this sense does not necessarily involve proving something factually — it is about emotional or psychological reinforcement.

常見錯誤

❌His kind words confirmed me' (direct personal object).
✅His kind words confirmed my faith in people.
💡This sense takes an abstract noun, not a person, as object.

5. to formally approve a decision, position, agreement, or appointment, making it b

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

to formally approve a decision, position, agreement, or appointment, making it binding or official

例句

The board confirmed Priya's appointment as the new director of finance.

confirm + noun phrase (appointment)

The Senate confirmed the judge after a series of hearings.

同義詞
  • ratify

    more formal and legal; implies voting to approve a document or treaty

  • endorse

    implies giving public support or approval, not necessarily making something legally binding

  • authorize

    implies giving permission for something to happen, rather than approving what is already decided

反義詞
  • reject

    to refuse to approve or accept

  • veto

    to use official power to stop a decision or law

文法句型

confirm + noun phrase (position/agreement)

be confirmed as + noun phrase