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confirmation
/ˌkɒn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/
verification of truth or accuracy
I received an email confirmation of my flight booking.
The email served as proof that the flight booking was officially recorded.
formal
A statement or document that verifies the truth, accuracy, or existence of something.
The lawyer required a written confirmation of the client's signature.
The document legally validated that the client had indeed signed the contract.
She asked for confirmation before proceeding with the transaction.
She needed assurance that the details were correct before completing the deal.
Often used in legal, financial, or official contexts to validate information.
general
The act of confirming or establishing the truth of something.
The DNA test provided confirmation of his paternity.
The test results definitively established that he was the child's father.
Can refer to the process of verifying facts or beliefs.
Collocations
confirmation biasthe tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms preexisting beliefsemail confirmationa digital message verifying an action or agreementwritten confirmationa formal document or letter verifying details
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'confirm'
Remember that 'confirmation' is the noun form. Use 'confirm' (verb) for actions ('Please confirm your email address') and 'confirmation' (noun) for the result ('I received a confirmation email').
Gold Rule
Use in formal contexts
Prefer 'confirmation' over 'confirm' when referring to the official document or process ('The bank issued a confirmation of the transfer').
Word Origin
From Latin *confirmatio*, meaning 'strengthening, establishing,' derived from *confirmare* ('to strengthen, establish'), combining *con-* ('together') and *firmare* ('to make firm').
Usage Notes
Commonly used in professional, legal, and technical contexts. Avoid using it as a verb ('I will confirmation your order')—the correct form is 'I will confirm your order.'
Word Breakdown
confirm-
to make firm or certain
root-ation
action or process
suffixEnglish Dictionary