testify

American  

[tes-tuh-fahy] / ˈtɛs təˌfaɪ /

verb (used without object)

testified, testifying

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.

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verb (used with object)

testified, testifying

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 British  

/ 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. to be evidence (of); serve as witness (to)

   the money testified to his good faith

4. (tr) to declare or acknowledge openly

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Other Word Forms

• pretestify verb (used with object)
• retestify verb
• testification noun
• testifier noun
• untestifying adjective

Etymology

Origin of testify

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

Example Sentences

We all make mistakes, but few of us are chided by the president of the United States or summoned to testify before a congressional committee as a result.

From The Wall Street Journal

She also testified that her older sister suffered from an eating disorder — details the defense sought to portray as the source of her body dysmorphia.

From Los Angeles Times

The firefighter, Scott Pike, testified last month in a lawsuit brought by Palisades fire victims against the city and the state.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was at a young age and I would spend all my time on it," Kaley testified when asked to explain why she thought she was addicted to YouTube.

From Barron's

Regarding Leah’s lawsuit against Chauncey Burr, there is no clear record of what he said, what she said, or whether they testified in court at all.

From Literature

Related Words

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