testify

[ tes-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used without object)

, tes·ti·fied, tes·ti·fy·ing.

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)

, tes·ti·fied, tes·ti·fy·ing.

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. whenintr, often foll by to to be evidence (of); serve as witness (to)

   the money testified to his good faith

4. tr to declare or acknowledge openly

Derived Forms

• ˌtestifiˈcation, noun
• ˈtestiˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• tes·ti·fi·er noun
• pre·tes·ti·fy verb (used with object) pretestified pretestifying
• re·tes·ti·fy verb retestified retestifying
• un·tes·ti·fy·ing 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

Rosbeli Flores-Bello, Ibarra's former roommate, testified that the two had travelled together from New York City, where they had been living in a migrant shelter, to Georgia in search of work.

From BBC

"They really don’t want to be called in to testify."

From Salon

This is his first time testifying in court, even though he has undergone multiple trials since 2020 - all widely seen as politically motivated.

From BBC

Alonso testified that he’s seen the five-pointed star used by various gangs in L.A., including the Trouble Gangster Crips, about eight different Hoover gangs, and two factions of the Black P-Stones.

From Los Angeles Times

Texas legislators had subpoenaed Roberson to testify in October, a novel way to delay the scheduled execution of a man many people believe to be innocent.

From Salon

Related Words

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