What does ratify mean?
Word: Ratify
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Ratify means to make an agreement official by signing it or voting for it.
Synonyms: approve, confirm
Word origin: Came through French from Latin ratus.
How do you spell ratify?
Syllables: rat - i - fy
Tricky part: A short a before t often leads students to double it, as in rattle. This word has just one t.
Watch out for: rattify, ratiffy, ratifie
Memory tip: One official, one firm stroke of the pen, one t.
Ratify in a sentence
Example 1: The students' union will ratify the new dress code on Friday.
Example 2: The student council voted to ratify the plan for a recycling drive.
Example 3: Nearly every country has ratified the agreement that protects the ozone layer.
Fun Fact
In India, some changes to the Constitution must be ratified by at least half of the state legislatures.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) qualify
b) mollify
c) ratefy
d) stupefy
Show answer
c) ratefy. Stupefy is a rare exception; this verb takes the common ify ending.
Word Twins
Read the sentences and choose the correct option:
1. Both countries will ratify the trade treaty next month. 2. The plumber came to ratify the leaking tap.
a) only 2
b) both
c) neither
d) only 1
Show answer
d) only 1. A plumber would rectify a tap; a treaty is what gets ratified.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
123456 FYTRIA
a) 463512
b) 643512
c) 463152
d) 436512
Show answer
a) 463512. The R at position 4 starts the word, and the A at position 6 comes next.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. ratify 2. amend 3. draft a. change slightly to improve b. give formal approval to c. write a first version of
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. A rule is often drafted, then amended, and only at the end given its formal stamp.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Until the members ratify a new rule, it ____.
a) is read out daily
b) gets shorter
c) must be printed
d) cannot take effect
Show answer
d) cannot take effect
2. Who usually ratifies an international treaty?
a) a national government
b) a bank clerk
c) a newspaper editor
d) a school head
Show answer
a) a national government
