testify

[tes-tuh-fahy]

verb (used without object)

testified, testifying 

1. to bear witness; give or afford evidence.

2. Law.,  to give testimony under oath or solemn affirmation, usually in court.

3. to make solemn declaration.

verb (used with object)

testified, testifying 

1. to bear witness to; affirm as fact or truth; attest.

2. to give or afford evidence of in any manner.

   Synonyms: prove, signify, show, indicate

3. Law.,  to state or declare under oath or affirmation, usually in court.

4. to declare, profess, or acknowledge openly.

testify

/ ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to state (something) formally as a declaration of fact

   I testify that I know nothing about him

2. law to declare or give (evidence) under oath, esp in court

3. to be evidence (of); serve as witness (to)

   the money testified to his good faith

4. (tr) to declare or acknowledge openly

Other Word Forms

• testification noun
• testifier noun
• pretestify verb (used with object)
• retestify verb
• untestifying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of testify¹

1350–1400; Middle English testifyen < Latin testificārī to bear witness, equivalent to testi ( s ) witness + -ficārī -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of testify¹

C14: from Latin testificārī, from testis witness

Example Sentences

The walls outside the Rockies clubhouse testify to the fact the team has won before.

From Los Angeles Times

‘It was a verbal incident,’ Cardi B testified in the civil trial.

From Los Angeles Times

Bridgett said the charges were once again filed against McCain, along with the allegations of murder, because investigators believe the killing was, in part, to prevent her from testifying in that case.

From Los Angeles Times

She had testified that armed individuals identifying themselves as police officers had stormed their home late at night and assaulted Mdude, before taking him away.

From BBC

Ellis worked as a security guard at the Beverly Hills building where Cardi B had her medical appointment, and she testified that she was doing her rounds when she saw the celebrity exit the elevator.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• announce 
• argue 
• assert 
• declare 
• depose 
• indicate 
• swear