From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishconfirmcon‧firm /kənˈfɜːm $ -ɜːrm/ ●●● S2 W2 AWL verb [transitive] 1 PROVEto show that something is definitely true, especially by providing more proof OPP refute New evidence has confirmed the first witness’s story. To confirm my diagnosis I need to do some tests.confirm that Research has confirmed that the risk is higher for women.confirm what The new results confirm what most of us knew already.GrammarIn more formal English, you say it is confirmed that something is true: It was confirmed that the bone was broken.2 SAY/STATEto say that something is definitely true OPP deny The president refused to confirm the rumor. Managers have so far refused to confirm or deny reports that up to 200 jobs are to go.confirm that Walsh confirmed that the money had been paid.confirm what My brother will confirm what I have told you.3 CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYto tell someone that a possible arrangement, date, or situation is now definite or official Could you confirm the dates we discussed? Smith was confirmed as the club’s new manager yesterday.confirm a booking/reservation/appointment I am writing to confirm a booking for a single room for the night of 6 June.4 STRONG FEELING OR BELIEFto make you believe that your idea or feeling is rightconfirm your fears/doubts/suspicions etc This just confirms my worst fears.confirm you in your belief/opinion/view etc (that) (=make you believe something more strongly) The expression on his face confirmed me in my suspicions.5 → be confirmedTHESAURUSconfirm if a piece of new information confirms an idea or belief that people already have, it shows that it is definitely truePolice have found new evidence that confirms his story.The discovery seems to confirm that people lived here over 10,000 years ago.prove to show that something is definitely true by providing factsDNA tests proved that he was the father of the child.I think we’ve proved that we are a good team.back up to provide additional information to help prove that a statement, belief, or explanation is correctWhen you write a history essay, you should back up all your points with facts.Wright was accused of pretending to be injured, and this was backed up by video evidence.support to help to prove that a belief, idea etc is probably trueDo you have any evidence to support these claims?The notion that women are worse drivers than men is simply not supported by the facts.bear something out if facts or information bear out a claim or opinion, they suggest that something is likely to be trueMost of the available evidence bears out the view that students learn better in small classes.Marriage is not always easy; a fact that is clearly borne out in divorce statistics.corroborate formal to provide additional information which supports or agrees with something – used in scientific and legal contextsLevine claims that a third car was involved in the accident and witnesses have corroborated this.Professor Carling’s findings have been corroborated by more recent research.substantiate formal to provide additional information that helps to prove that a statement is correct, especially if the statement is difficult to believeA police investigation failed to substantiate the claim that he had been sexually abused.validate formal to prove that information or results are correct by using scientific tests or very careful checking – used in scientific or technical contextsAll the information used in this report has been validated by an independent panel of experts. → See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
confirm• In July his worst fears were confirmed: he had cancer.• Police have found new evidence that confirms his story.• Tulliver is confirmed in his decision by the fact that lawyer John Wakem plans to educate his boy likewise.• The campaign has confirmed my worst instincts about politics.• Mr Eastwood refused to confirm or deny the rumour.• I'll call the hotel and confirm our reservations.• Subsequent studies confirmed that a high-fibre diet increases stool bulk and shortens gut transit.• The discovery seems to confirm that people lived here over 10,000 years ago.• Let me just confirm that the money has arrived in your account.• Police have confirmed that they are questioning a woman about the disappearance of baby Kelly Truman.• A meeting of the club's shareholders is expected to confirm the club will go into liquidation with debts of around £550,000.• U.S. officials said they could not confirm the report.• A prison department spokeswoman was unable to confirm whether anyone had been hurt.• Have you called to confirm your flight yet?confirm what• Perhaps I can confirm what he said by reference to one statistic.• My brother will confirm what I have told you.• The Burford solicitor had confirmed what Jacob Brailey had told Seb.• And a report this week from a psychologist confirms what many especially women - have always suspected.• This article confirms what many experts have been saying for years.• I confirm what my hon. Friend says.• They felt that the despair long antedated the neoplasms and that their becoming fatally ill merely confirmed what they already believed.• Much of the material confirmed what Tolonen had said only the day before.• I guess this confirms what we knew all along.• She confirmed what you had told me about Edouard being beaten up and said she was afraid it was all because of her.confirm what• Perhaps I can confirm what he said by reference to one statistic.• The Burford solicitor had confirmed what Jacob Brailey had told Seb.• And a report this week from a psychologist confirms what many especially women - have always suspected.• I confirm what my hon. Friend says.• They felt that the despair long antedated the neoplasms and that their becoming fatally ill merely confirmed what they already believed.• Much of the material confirmed what Tolonen had said only the day before.• I guess this confirms what we knew all along.• She confirmed what you had told me about Edouard being beaten up and said she was afraid it was all because of her.confirm a booking/reservation/appointment• The 33-kiosk Seville network allows users to scan menus, view pictures of a restaurant's interior and make and confirm reservations.confirm your fears/doubts/suspicions etc• As I say, I doubt these assumptions, and some interesting studies have confirmed my doubts.• I'd like a chance to confirm my suspicions.• If we guess right, then we confirm his suspicions.• Their placement in a remedial course confirmed their suspicions.• Statements like this confirmed our suspicions about self-defeating organizational behavior patterns.• When my relationship actually broke down, it confirmed my fears-I fell into depression and stopped going to work.• An hour later, when the shock was over, he confirmed my fears: I had broken two ribs.• A quick check outside confirmed my suspicions: we just weren't going up very fast.From Longman Business Dictionaryconfirmcon‧firm /kənˈfɜːm-fɜːrm/ verb [transitive]1to say or show that something is definitely trueThe company said the report confirmed what its own directors and accountants had already established.confirm thatWalsh confirmed that the money had been paid.2to tell someone that a possible arrangement, date, or time is now definiteCould you confirm the dates we discussed?I am writing to confirm our order for a 500mm print.If a confirmed booking is cancelled a 50% fee will be charged. —confirmation noun [uncountable]The bank has to receive confirmation that the check has cleared.→ See Verb tableOrigin confirm (1200-1300) Old French confirmer, from Latin confirmare, from com- ( → COM-) + firmare “to make firm” 