What does invalidate mean?
Word: Invalidate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Invalidate means to make something officially unacceptable or no longer valid, or to show that an idea is wrong.
Synonyms: cancel, annul, void, disprove
Antonyms: approve
Word origin: Comes from Medieval Latin, built on Latin validus, 'strong'.
How do you spell invalidate?
Syllables: in - val - i - date
Tricky part: The middle is valid, with one l; students double it and write invallidate.
Watch out for: invallidate, invalladate
Memory tip: Whatever goes before or after valid, its single l stays single.
Invalidate in a sentence
Example 1: A single wrong date can invalidate the whole form.
Example 2: Overwriting an answer on an OMR sheet may invalidate it.
Example 3: The referee said a foul in the build-up would invalidate the goal.
Fun Fact
Its Latin root validus, strong, belongs to the same word family as value and valiant.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Fusion
Choose the pair that completes the word:
___ valid ___ 1. dis 2. un 3. in 4. en 5. ity 6. ment 7. ate 8. ness
a) 4 and 7
b) 2 and 5
c) 1 and 6
d) 3 and 7
Show answer
d) 3 and 7. In and ate wrap valid to make invalidate; envalidate, unvalidity and disvalidment are not words.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its opposite:
1. invalidate 2. abundant 3. humble a. confirm b. arrogant c. scarce
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Scarce is the reverse of abundant and arrogant of humble; a result that is confirmed is the opposite of one that is invalidated.
Word Champ
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
1. Signing in the wrong box can invalidate a form. 2. To verify a result is to prove it wrong. 3. A void cheque cannot be used.
a) only 1 and 3 are true
b) only 1 is true
c) only 2 and 3 are true
d) all three are true
Show answer
a) only 1 and 3 are true. Verifying a result means checking that it is right, which rules out statement 2.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
vatdilenai
a) to strip of official force
b) to put off until later
c) to make much stronger
d) to praise very highly
Show answer
a) to strip of official force. In order, the ten letters spell invalidate, the verb for cancelling a thing's official force.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A scientist's new results invalidate an old theory. The old theory is now ____.
a) shown to be wrong
b) more popular
c) proved right
d) printed in a textbook
Show answer
a) shown to be wrong
2. Which of these would invalidate a passport?
a) showing it at the airport
b) its expiry date passing
c) carrying it in a bag
d) keeping it in a drawer
Show answer
b) its expiry date passing
