Synonyms

testify

American

[tes-tuh-fahy] / ˈtɛs təˌfaɪ /

verb (used without object)

to bear witness; give or afford evidence.
Law. to give testimony under oath or solemn affirmation, usually in court.
to make solemn declaration.

verb (used with object)

to bear witness to; affirm as fact or truth; attest.
to give or afford evidence of in any manner.

Synonyms:

prove, signify, show, indicate
Law. to state or declare under oath or affirmation, usually in court.
to declare, profess, or acknowledge openly.

testify British

/ ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ /

verb

(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
law to declare or give (evidence) under oath, esp in court
to be evidence (of); serve as witness (to)

the money testified to his good faith
(tr) to declare or acknowledge openly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of testify

1350–1400; Middle English testifyen < Latin testificārī to bear witness, equivalent to testi ( s ) witness + -ficārī -fy

Explanation

To testify is to make a statement or provide evidence, usually in court. Witnesses testify for the prosecution or defense. If you've ever seen a TV show about lawyers, you've probably seen someone testifying: putting their hand on the Bible, sitting in the witness seat, and telling what they know about a case. Testifying is serious business, but it doesn't always happen in court: If someone knows you're good at math, they can testify to your math skills. Or if you've been to a restaurant, you can testify to your friends that it has awesome desserts.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Courts Director Robert Conrad will testify before an appropriations subcommittee this summer; members should question him about workplace conduct.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

The former World Series-winning pitcher did not testify in Grossman’s high-profile 2024 criminal trial but spent several days on the witness stand during the civil trial.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Family members, including her granddaughter Naomi, were brought to testify.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

He was expected to be taken to a court to testify before a judge later on Tuesday, the paper added.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

White stationed extra guards at the jail after attempts to break out the outlaws who were going to testify against Hale.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023