witness
WIHT-nihs
Witness (noun) means a person who sees an event happen and can describe it afterward. Example: “Several witnesses saw the car run the red light.”
noun
1
A person who sees an event happen and can describe it afterward.
"Several witnesses saw the car run the red light."
"A witness described the cyclist who fell off his bike near the bridge."
"Police asked any witness to the incident to come forward."
2
A person who gives evidence in a court of law.
"The defense called its first witness to the stand."
"The witness swore to tell the truth before answering the lawyer's questions."
"She was nervous about appearing as a witness at the trial."
verb
1
To see something happen personally.
"She witnessed the accident from across the street."
"They witnessed history being made that day."
"Tourists often witness a spectacular sunrise from the top of the hill."
2
To watch someone sign a legal document and sign it yourself to confirm it was done properly.
"A neighbor witnessed the signing of the will."
"You need an adult to witness your signature on the form."
"My colleague agreed to witness the contract once everyone had signed it."
How to use witness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who sees something happen, or the act of seeing it and confirming it happened.
Common pairings
eyewitness account
witness a crime
witness a signature
call a witness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like witness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- witnesses
- Third person singular
- witnesses
- Past tense
- witnessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Several _____ saw the car run the red light.
Etymology
From Old English gewitnes, built from wit ("knowledge") plus -ness.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for witness
See all rhymes for witness →Frequently asked questions
What does “witness” mean?
The word “witness” means a person who sees an event happen and can describe it afterward. In plain terms, someone who sees something happen, or the act of seeing it and confirming it happened.
How do you pronounce “witness”?
“Witness” is pronounced WIHT-nihs (/ˈwɪt.nɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “witness” in a sentence?
Here is “witness” used in a sentence: “Several witnesses saw the car run the red light.”
What is another word for “witness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “witness” include certify.
What part of speech is “witness”?
Depending on how it is used, “witness” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “witness” come from?
The word “witness” comes from Old English. From Old English gewitnes, built from wit ("knowledge") plus -ness.
Is “witness” a common word?
“Witness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “witness” have?
“Witness” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who sees an event happen and can describe it afterward.
What is the difference between a witness and a bystander?
A bystander is simply someone present at an event without taking part. A witness is someone who actually observed what happened and can describe it afterward, often formally. Every witness is a bystander of sorts, but a bystander only becomes a witness once they have seen something they can report.
What are the different types of witness?
In legal settings several kinds exist. An eyewitness saw the event directly. An expert witness gives professional opinion in their field. A character witness speaks to a person's reputation rather than the events. There are also material witnesses, whose knowledge is important to a case. Outside the law, a witness is anyone who observed something.
What is the difference between a witness and an eyewitness?
The words are close, and an eyewitness is a type of witness. A witness is anyone who can give an account of an event, which might include what they heard or knew. An eyewitness specifically saw it happen with their own eyes, so the term stresses direct visual observation rather than secondhand knowledge.
What does it mean to witness something?
To witness an event is to be present and see it take place, so that you can later describe or confirm what happened. The word also carries a sense of bearing witness, meaning to testify or give evidence about it, whether informally to others or formally in a court of law.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include witness:
