confirmation
gb/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 5400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
proof or statement something is true
Information or an action that shows something is true, correct, or sure.
Usage pattern:
confirmation that [clause] / confirmation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "confirmation" with "information." "Information" is general facts or details; "confirmation" is proof or a clear sign that something is true or fixed. Also, the preposition is usually "confirmation of" or "confirmation that," not *"confirmation about" in careful written English.
Synonyms
verification (More formal and technical; often used in scientific or security contexts for checking accuracy or truth.)
Antonyms
denial (Refusal to accept or state that something is true, which opposes the idea of confirming it.)
Collocations
seek confirmation
|written confirmation
|official confirmation
|require confirmation
|receive confirmation
|confirmation that
Themes
daily life
|business
|science
|media
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We are still waiting for official confirmation that the report is accurate.
- Her test results provided clear confirmation of the diagnosis.
- The witness’s story gave further confirmation that the accident was not her fault.
- Please send written confirmation of your decision by Friday.
- The new data is strong confirmation that the policy is working.
Learner examples
- The doctor called with confirmation of my test results.
- I need confirmation that you understand the rules.
- We finally got confirmation that our idea was correct.
- The email gave confirmation of what he told us.
- The results are confirmation that the plan can work.
unknown
B1
entity
2
message proving booking or order
An email, text, paper, or number that shows your booking, order, or sign-up is accepted.
Usage pattern:
a confirmation email / a confirmation number for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I received a reservation"* when they mean the message. Use "I received a confirmation" or "a confirmation email" for the message, and "I made a reservation" for the booking itself.
Synonyms
acknowledgment (Often used in more formal or business contexts; can be broader and not only about bookings or orders.)
Antonyms
cancellation (Shows that a booking or order is stopped or removed, which is the opposite result of receiving confirmation.)
Collocations
confirmation email
|confirmation message
|confirmation number
|booking confirmation
|order confirmation
|receive a confirmation
Themes
daily life
|business
|technology
|travel
|communication
Examples
- You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes of booking your flight.
- Please bring your confirmation number when you check in at the hotel.
- I still haven’t had a text confirmation of my doctor’s appointment.
- They sent a separate order confirmation for each item I bought.
- If you don’t get a booking confirmation, your reservation may not be in the system.
Learner examples
- I got a confirmation email after I paid.
- Show the confirmation number to the staff at the desk.
- Please keep this paper as confirmation of your ticket.
- I did not receive a confirmation for my hotel room.
- She showed the confirmation on her phone.
Noun
formal
B2
action
3
official approval by an authority
An official decision that says a person or plan is approved, usually by a group in power.
Usage pattern:
confirmation of [a person / a decision]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "election" instead of "confirmation." "Election" is when people choose someone for a position, often by voting. "Confirmation" here is a later, official approval of that choice or appointment.
Synonyms
ratification (Very formal and legal; often used for treaties or agreements, not usually for people in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
rejection (Refusal to approve a person or decision, which is the opposite of official confirmation.)
Collocations
Senate confirmation
|confirmation hearing
|confirmation vote
|await confirmation
|confirmation process
|confirmation of the appointment
Themes
politics
|law
|business
Examples
- The committee voted in favor of her confirmation as CEO.
- His confirmation to the Supreme Court faced significant opposition.
- The deal still needs board confirmation before it can go ahead.
- After a long confirmation process, the ambassador finally took office.
- The nominee withdrew his name when it became clear that confirmation was unlikely.
Learner examples
- Her confirmation as manager took three months.
- The new judge is still waiting for confirmation.
- The plan needs government confirmation before it starts.
- His confirmation was delayed because of many questions.
- The parliament gave quick confirmation of the new law.
Noun
formal
B2
event
4
Christian ceremony of affirming faith
A Christian ceremony where a person says they accept the Christian faith and becomes a full member of the church.
Usage pattern:
receive (one's) Confirmation
Common mistake:
Learners may think "confirmation" always has a general meaning of "proof." In religious contexts, especially with a capital letter ("Confirmation"), it refers to a specific Christian ceremony, not just any proof.
Synonyms
rite of passage (A general term for an important life ceremony; not specific to Christianity and less precise than "Confirmation.")
Collocations
receive Confirmation
|the sacrament of Confirmation
|Confirmation class
|Confirmation service
|Catholic Confirmation
|First Communion and Confirmation
Themes
religion
|culture
Examples
- She received the sacrament of Confirmation at the age of fifteen.
- The bishop will lead the Confirmation service next Sunday.
- All candidates must attend a weekly Confirmation class before the ceremony.
- His parents invited the whole family to celebrate his Confirmation.
- In this church, Confirmation is usually held in the spring.
Learner examples
- My cousin is preparing for her Confirmation.
- The church was full for the Confirmation ceremony.
- He will receive Confirmation next year.
- We took photos after my sister’s Confirmation.
- She bought a new dress for her Confirmation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
confirmation
IPA
GB/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
con - firm - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (firm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: confirmation
- Plural: confirmation, confirmations
Word family
Forms
confirmations
noun
Core family
confirm
verb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unconfirmed
adjective
Advanced or less common
confirmatory
adjective
disconfirm
verb
disconfirmation
noun
Expressions
booking confirmation
1/bˈʊkɪŋ kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
document confirming a reservation
An email, text, or paper that shows your hotel, flight, or other reservation is accepted.
Examples
- Make sure you have your booking confirmation when you arrive at the hotel.
- They didn't let him check in because he couldn’t show a booking confirmation.
- The airline sent a new booking confirmation after I changed my flight.
confirmation email
1/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən imˈeɪl/
fixed phrase
email that confirms a booking or action
An email that tells you your booking, order, payment, or sign-up was received and accepted.
Examples
- You should get a confirmation email shortly after you create your account.
- Check your spam folder if you don’t see the confirmation email.
- Please keep your confirmation email in case there is a problem with your ticket.
confirmation message
1/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən mˈɛsɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
message that confirms an action
A short text, app, or on-screen message that tells you your action, like a payment or change, was successful.
Examples
- You’ll see a confirmation message on the screen when your payment goes through.
- I didn’t get a confirmation message, so I’m not sure my order was placed.
- The app sends a confirmation message every time you update your details.
confirmation number
1/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən nˈʌmbɚ/
fixed phrase
unique code for a booking or order
A special code or number you receive to show and find your booking, order, or registration in a system.
Examples
- Please write down your confirmation number and bring it to the airport.
- If you lose your confirmation number, customer service can look up your booking by name.
- They asked for my confirmation number before changing the reservation.
in confirmation of
1/ˈɪn kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
as proof that something is true
Used to say that something is done or given to show clearly that an earlier statement, belief, or agreement is true.
Examples
- He nodded in confirmation of her guess.
- The spokesperson issued a statement in confirmation of yesterday’s report.
- She signed the form in confirmation of the terms they had discussed.
order confirmation
1/ˈɔɹdɚ kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
message that confirms a purchase order
An email or document that tells you the store received and accepted your online or phone order.
Examples
- You will receive an order confirmation with the details of your purchase.
- Check your order confirmation to make sure your address is correct.
- I can’t find my order confirmation, so I don’t know the delivery date.
written confirmation
1/ɹˈɪtən kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
proof or approval given in writing
Proof or approval that is given in writing, for example in an email or letter.
Examples
- We require written confirmation before we can process the refund.
- Could you send me written confirmation of the new dates?
- The landlord asked for written confirmation that I would stay another year.
confirmation bias
1/kˌɑnfɚmˈeɪʃən bˈaɪəs/
fixed phrase
tendency to favor supporting evidence
A mental habit where people mainly notice or believe information that agrees with what they already think, and ignore other information.
Examples
- Social media can make confirmation bias worse by showing us only opinions we already agree with.
- Social media can increase confirmation bias by showing us only posts we already agree with.
- Scientists must try to avoid confirmation bias when they test their ideas.
- Because of confirmation bias, he read only articles that supported his opinion.
- His argument was full of confirmation bias; he only quoted sources that supported his view.