attest

American  

[uh-test] / əˈtɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to bear witness to; certify; declare to be correct, true, or genuine; declare the truth of, in words or writing, especially to affirm in an official capacity.

   to attest the truth of a statement.

2. to give proof or evidence of; manifest.

   His works attest his industry.

3. Linguistics. to give evidence of the existence of (a word, phrase, usage, etc.), especially in writing: The dictionary attests this meaning as early as 1890.

   The plural form is attested in ancient texts.

   The dictionary attests this meaning as early as 1890.

4. to put on oath.

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verb (used without object)

1. to testify or bear witness (often followed byto ).

   to attest to the reliability of an employee.

noun

1. Archaic. witness; testimony; attestation.

attest British  

/ ˌætɛˈsteɪʃən, əˈtɛst /

verb

1. (tr) to affirm the correctness or truth of

2. to witness (an act, event, etc) or bear witness to (an act, event, etc) as by signature or oath

3. (tr) to make evident; demonstrate

   his life of luxury attests his wealth

4. (tr) to provide evidence for

   the marks in the ground attested the presence of a fossil

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Other Word Forms

• attestable adjective
• attestant noun
• attestation noun
• attestator noun
• attester noun
• attestive adjective
• attestor noun
• reattest verb (used with object)
• unattested adjective
• well-attested adjective

Etymology

Origin of attest

First recorded in 1590–1600; < Middle French attester, from Latin attestārī “to bear witness to, affirm, confirm” equivalent to at- at- + testārī “to witness” ( testis ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

I can attest to that after spending several hours with her on Tuesday, hustling to keep up as she taught at two schools and then hurried home to greet her private students.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Hachette requires authors to attest manuscripts are original.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Meanwhile, a more senior prosecutor named Mark Coyne would attest that Habba was not running the office and that the triumvirate was following the law.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

"I can personally attest that poetry can truly save your life when you’re struggling. And even when you’re doing well, it can make life more intense," Schlesser explained.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

In fact, although I couldn’t attest any of it to three decimal places, I had a pretty good notion of the weather conditions generally, on account of I was out in them.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• authenticate
• corroborate
• demonstrate
• indicate
• substantiate
• swear
• verify