ratify
gb/ɹˈætəfˌaɪ/ us/ɹˈætəfˌaɪ/
C1
English
~ 6700
ratifikál, jóváhagy
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[authority] ratifies [agreement/decision/treaty]
The parliament is expected to ratify the trade agreement next month.
A parlament várhatóan jövő hónapban ratifikálja a kereskedelmi megállapodást.
Only two countries have yet to ratify the climate treaty.
Eddig még csak két ország ratifikálta az éghajlatvédelmi egyezményt.
The board refused to ratify the CEO’s decision to close the factory.
The new constitution was ratified by a national referendum.
Union members must ratify the contract before it takes effect.
Learner examples
The senate will ratify the peace treaty tomorrow.
A szenátus holnap ratifikálja a békeszerződést.
Five more countries need to ratify the agreement.
Még öt országnak kell ratifikálnia a megállapodást.
The board must ratify the plan before we start.
The contract is not valid until both sides ratify it.
Voters will ratify the changes in a special election.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ratify" for everyday personal approval, as in *"My friends ratified my idea"*, which sounds unnatural. In daily situations, "agree with" or "approve of" is better. "Ratify" is mainly used for formal decisions, treaties, contracts, and laws made by governments, organizations, or official groups. It is also sometimes confused with "verify" (to check if something is true) and "justify" (to show that something is right); however, "ratify" is about giving official final approval.
Meaning
to give formal, official approval
Collocations
ratify a treaty
|ratify an agreement
|ratify a decision
|ratify a contract
|ratify a constitution
|be ratified by [parliament/congress]
Synonyms
approve (More general and common; can be informal, while "ratify" is specifically formal and legal or institutional.)
|
endorse (Stresses support or backing; less strictly legal than "ratify" but overlaps in official contexts.)
|
confirm (Emphasizes making something definite; may be less formal and not always about legal validity.)
|
validate (Focuses on making something legally or officially acceptable; slightly more technical than "ratify".)
Antonyms
reject (Direct opposite: to refuse to approve an agreement or decision.)
|
veto (To use official power to block approval, especially in political or legislative contexts.)
|
annul (To make a law or agreement no longer valid, often through a legal or formal act.)
Themes
law
|politics
|business
Definition
to give formal and final approval to an agreement or decision so that it becomes official or legal
To give official and final approval to an agreement, decision, treaty, or law, making it legally or formally valid.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ratify
IPA
GB/ɹˈætəfˌaɪ/
US/ɹˈætəfˌaɪ/
Syllables & stress
rat - i - fy (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (rat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: ratify
- 3rd Person Singular: ratifies
- Present Participle: ratifying
- Past: ratified
Word family
Forms
ratifies
verb
ratifying
verb
ratified
verb
Core family
ratification
noun C1
Related words
ratifier
noun
Advanced or less common
ratifiable
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.