verb

testify

TEHS-tih-feye

verb

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."

To serve as evidence or proof of something.

"The empty shelves testify to the store's popularity."

How to Use Testify

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

testified past tense, testify plural, testified plural, testifies singular, testify singular, testified singular, testifiest singular, testifiedst singular, testifieth singular

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Etymology

From Old French testifier, from Latin testificari, "to bear witness", built from testis ("a witness") and facere ("to make").

Synonyms

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bear witness

Rhymes for testify

unify verify pacify notify purify modify qualify amplify crucify specify falsify certify

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