character witness

American  

noun

1. a person who testifies as to the moral character and reputation of a litigant in a court of law or other legal proceeding.

---

Etymology

Origin of character witness

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

I’m not sure Hurley’s the most convincing character witness, but Captain Headbutt isn’t wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Last February Kate filed three complaints: against Mr Cottrell, David Tudor and Wilfred Wood, the bishop who had been a character witness for Tudor in his trial.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2025

And Stephen A. Smith, who pioneered debate sports TV with Bayless on ESPN’s “First Take” from 2012-16, essentially became a character witness for Bayless while underscoring that the lawsuit should be taken seriously.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2025

But that time most of his colleagues stood by him - including fellow New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, who was a character witness in his trial.

From Washington Times • Sep. 29, 2023

She’s not the character witness I want right now.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah