testament
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for testament, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use testament
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin testamentum, "a will", related to testis, "a witness" — the same root behind "testify" and "testimony", since a will is essentially a person's witnessed final wishes.
Full origin of testament →Frequently asked questions
What does “testament” mean?
The word “testament” means a legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death. In plain terms, legally, a will; more commonly used today to mean solid proof that something is true or admirable.
How do you pronounce “testament”?
“Testament” is pronounced TEHS-tuh-muhnt (/ˈtɛs.tə.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “testament” in a sentence?
Here is “testament” used in a sentence: “His last will and testament left the house to his daughter.”
What part of speech is “testament”?
“Testament” is a noun.
Where does the word “testament” come from?
The word “testament” comes from Latin. From Latin testamentum, "a will", related to testis, "a witness" — the same root behind "testify" and "testimony", since a will is essentially a person's witnessed final wishes.
Is “testament” a common word?
“Testament” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “testament” have?
“Testament” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a legal document stating how a person wants their property divided after death.
What is the difference between a will and a testament?
In modern law the words are interchangeable, and the traditional phrase "last will and testament" is a legal doublet that survives from older usage. Historically, testament was sometimes said to deal with personal property and will with land, but no such distinction applies today.
How is the phrase "a testament to" used?
Saying something is "a testament to" a quality means it is clear proof or evidence of it, usually something admirable: "The bridge still stands, a testament to the skill of its builders." The phrase almost always takes to rather than of.
What is the difference between testament and testimony?
Testimony is a statement given by a witness, especially formal evidence in court, while a testament is a legal document disposing of property after death and, figuratively, clear proof of something. In the figurative sense the two overlap: both "a testament to her dedication" and "a testimony to her dedication" occur, with testament the more usual choice in modern writing.
Why are the two parts of the Bible called the Old and New Testament?
In this use, testament reflects an older sense meaning "covenant", a solemn agreement, rather than a will. The two main sections of the Christian Bible are named for what Christians regard as the earlier covenant between God and Israel and the later covenant established through Jesus.