testify
TEHS-tih-feye
Testify (verb) means to give a formal statement as a witness, usually under oath in court. Example: “She was called to testify at the trial.”
verb
1
To give a formal statement as a witness, usually under oath in court.
"She was called to testify at the trial."
"He refused to testify against his former business partner."
"The neighbour agreed to testify about what she had seen that evening."
2
To serve as evidence or proof of something.
"The empty shelves testify to the store's popularity."
"Her worn boots and tanned face testify to years spent walking in the hills."
"The long queue outside the cafe testifies to how good the cakes are."
How to use testify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo speak as a witness in court, or more loosely, to show clear proof of something.
Common pairings
testify in court
testify under oath
testify against someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- testifies
- Past tense
- testified
- Archaic forms
- testifiest, testifiedst, testifieth
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She was called to _____ at the trial.
Etymology
From Old French testifier, from Latin testificari, "to bear witness", built from testis ("a witness") and facere ("to make").
Related words
Rhymes for testify
See all rhymes for testify →Frequently asked questions
What does “testify” mean?
The word “testify” means to give a formal statement as a witness, usually under oath in court. In plain terms, to speak as a witness in court, or more loosely, to show clear proof of something.
How do you pronounce “testify”?
“Testify” is pronounced TEHS-tih-feye (/ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “testify” in a sentence?
Here is “testify” used in a sentence: “She was called to testify at the trial.”
What is another word for “testify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “testify” include bear witness.
What part of speech is “testify”?
“Testify” is a verb.
Where does the word “testify” come from?
The word “testify” comes from Latin. From Old French testifier, from Latin testificari, "to bear witness", built from testis ("a witness") and facere ("to make").
Is “testify” a common word?
“Testify” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “testify” have?
“Testify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give a formal statement as a witness, usually under oath in court.
What is the difference between "testify" and "witness"?
To testify means to give a formal statement, usually under oath in court, while to witness means to see or observe an event happen. A person can witness a crime without ever testifying about it, and testifying specifically refers to the formal act of giving evidence.
Can "testify" be used outside of a legal setting?
Yes, testify can also mean to serve as evidence or proof of something, as in "the ruins testify to the city's ancient wealth." This figurative use extends the courtroom sense of giving evidence to non-human things that demonstrate or prove a point.
Do you "testify" for or against someone?
You can testify either for or against a party in a legal case, depending on whether your statement supports or contradicts them, and the word itself is neutral about which side it favours. The preposition used in the sentence, such as "testify against the defendant," clarifies the direction.
