certifiably
5
5.9
- adverb
- /ˈsɜːrtɪfaɪəbli/
- Informal
:
certificablemente
- You, sir, are certifiably insane.
- certifiably insane
- certifiably psychotic
- certifiably crazy
Examples
-
The chick is certifiably crazy.
-
Was it absolutely, certifiably nuts?
-
But then I am certifiably blind, five years now.
-
The woman is certifiably nuts.
Fiction book (1994) -
You have to be certifiably insane.
Blog text (6) -
Aaron, you may think that I am absolutely, certifiably insane.
-
I've had one boss who was most likely certifiably crazy, but essentially harmless in the physical sense.
Blog text (24) -
Mom is certifiably insane.
-
He's... he's certifiably insane.
-
He is certifiably insane, as confirmed by several mental health professionals.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Without any doubt
56
3.9
In a clear way that leaves no doubt
38
5.5
In a strong, definite way that shows no doubt
37
6.9
In a clear way that leaves no doubt
27
3.9
In a way that proves something and leaves no doubt
19
5.5
Can be clearly shown to be true by facts or proof
13
4.1
In a very clear way that people cannot mistake
7
2.3
Says that something is certainly true
2
7.4
In a way that cannot be proved wrong
1
9.1
In a way that no one can doubt
1
9.1
In a way that cannot be blamed or criticized
1
9.0
Clearly true and cannot be doubted
1
7.7
In a way nobody can doubt
Completely and without any doubt
Antonyms
How Extreme
- Informal
5
5.9
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
certifiably = certifiable (semi-transparent) = certify + able + ly
Formally the adverb derives from 'certifiable', but the idiomatic emphatic sense ('completely/definitely insane') represents a pragmatic shift from the literal 'able to be certified'.
Etymology
Certifiably comes from certify, meaning 'to make certain', and is connected to certain and certificate. A helpful way to remember the second, more informal use is to think 'officially so' — people use certifiably to mean 'completely' or 'extremely', which is why someone can be called certifiably exhausted.