check to make sure it's right

validate

verb|/ˈvæl.ə.deɪt/

To confirm that something is correct, sound, or meets requirements.

Examples

In a meeting

We need to validate these assumptions before investing further.

Over coffee

I just wanted to validate that the address is correct before I drive over.

Why this word

confirm

Validate implies checking against standards or criteria to prove correctness, while confirm just means verifying something is true

verify

Validate includes evaluation of worthiness or correctness, while verify only checks factual accuracy

check

Validate is more formal and implies systematic testing against requirements or standards

Usage tip

More formal than 'check'. Implies a thorough confirmation, not a quick glance.

Etymology

Latin validus (strong, effective) + -ate

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