testifytes‧ti‧fy /ˈtestɪfaɪ/ ●○○ verb (past tense and past participle testified, present participle testifying, third person singular testifies) 
Word Origin Examples
Mr Molto has agreed to testify at the trial.testify against Later, the witness who had testified against Muawad withdrew his allegation.2[intransitive, transitive] written to show clearly that something is the casetestify to The empty shops in the high street testify to the depth of the recession.testify that The full ashtrays testify that smoking hasn’t been stubbed out. Can you testify that you saw the defendant at the scene of the crime?3[intransitive] American English to stand up and tell people about how God has helped you in your life SYN witness
Word OriginWORD ORIGINtestify
Verb TableOrigin:
1300-1400 Latin testificari, from testis ‘witness’VERB TABLE
testify
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | testify |
| he, she, it | testifies | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | testified |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have testified |
| he, she, it | has testified | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had testified |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will testify |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have testified |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am testifying |
| he, she, it | is testifying | |
| you, we, they | are testifying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was testifying |
| you, we, they | were testifying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been testifying |
| he, she, it | has been testifying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been testifying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be testifying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been testifying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- I'm prepared to testify in court that I was in Carolyn's apartment that night.
- Police had to guard him in hospital until he was well enough to testify.
- The witness who had testified against him withdrew her allegation.
- Anyone who knew him will gladly testify that he was a disaster behind a steering wheel.
- Charges against Louima were later dropped, and he testified about his ordeal in three criminal trials.
- Crowing begins at or just before the crack of dawn -- as my neighbours will testify.
- Even the houses now testify to this.
- Years later her parents made a sworn statement testifying that the couple had met in July 1917.
Longman Language Activatorto say that something is definitely true► claim
Collocations to say that something is true, even though it has not been proved and people may not believe it: claim (that): · Martin claimed that he was with friends at the time of his wife's murder.· She claimed she was fired from her job for being pregnant.claim to be something: · She claims to be a descendent of Charles Dickens.claim to have done something: · Doctors claim to have discovered a cure for the disease.claim responsibility/credit etc: · No one has yet claimed responsibility for planting the bomb.
► maintain to repeatedly say that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you: maintain (that): · My mother always maintains that I learned to talk at six months.· The authors of "Superdiet' maintain you can lose pounds without eating less.
► assert to state very firmly that something is true: assert (that): · Professor Sykes has asserted that the skeleton, which was said to be man's first ancestor, is in fact a fake.· After 1947, Nehru began to assert his supremacy and sack party chiefs who opposed him.· If women are to have equal opportunity, they must loudly assert their ability to do all traditional "male' jobs.
► confirm if you confirm something that other people have already said is true, you say publicly that it is definitely true: · Mr Eastwood refused to confirm or deny the rumour.confirm (that): · Police have confirmed that they are questioning a woman about the disappearance of baby Kelly Truman.
► testify to make a formal statement of what is true, especially in a court of law: · Police had to guard him in hospital until he was well enough to testify.testify that: · I'm prepared to testify in court that I was in Carolyn's apartment that night.testify against somebody (=say something intended to prove someone is guilty): · The witness who had testified against him withdrew her allegation.
► swear informal to say very firmly that what you have said is the truth: swear (that): · It was a mistake -- she swears that she didn't mean to do it.· The plane flew so low that Geoff swears he saw one wing touch the top of a tree.swear blind (that) (=used for emphasizing that someone is telling the truth): · She swears blind that she never met the man.
► certify if someone such as a doctor or another professional person certifies something, they officially say that it is true: certify (that): · Doctors have certified that the suspect was in a lot of pain at the time of the incident.certify somebody fit/dead/insane etc: · The doctor certified me unfit to go to work for the next month.
► insist to say and repeat that something is true, especially when a lot of people think that it might not be true: insist (that): · Though there are no other witnesses, she insists she saw a man in the yard that night.· UFO spotters will always insist that their data is correct.
► protest to firmly and repeatedly state that you have not done something wrong: protest (that): · Marge protested that she had never had any kind of affair with Lawrence.protest your innocence (=say repeatedly that you did not commit a crime): · Throughout the trial Reilly protested his innocence.
► deny to say that you have not done something bad that people say you have done: · Bowlam denied all charges of selling drugs to children.deny (that): · The singer denies that he copied the tune from an old Beatles song.deny doing something: · Did he actually deny meeting Jenny that night? flatly/categorically deny (=deny very strongly): · The foreman had not informed us that the paraffin might explode. In fact he had categorically denied there was any danger.
WORD SETS► Christianityabbess, nounabbey, nounabbot, nounabsolution, nounAdvent, nounalleluia, interjectionaltar boy, nounAnglican, nounAnglo-Catholic, nounapocalyptic, adjectiveapostle, nounapostolic, adjectivearchbishop, nounarchbishopric, nounarchdeacon, nounarchdiocese, nounArk of the Covenant, nounAsh Wednesday, nounAuthorized Version, banns, nounbaptism, nounBaptist, nounbaptize, verbbasilica, nounbeadle, nounbeatify, verbBenedictine, nounbenediction, nounbenefice, nounbiblical, adjectivebiretta, nounbishop, nounbishopric, nounblaspheme, verbblasphemy, nounbrother, nounbull, nounCalvinism, nounCalvinist, adjectivecanon, nouncanonical, adjectivecanonize, verbcanon law, nouncantor, nouncardinal, nouncardinal sin, nouncarol, nouncatechism, nouncathedral, nounCatholic, adjectivechantry, nounchapel, nounchaplain, nounchaplaincy, nounchapter, nounchapterhouse, nouncherub, nounChrist, nounchristen, verbChristendom, nounchristening, nounChristian, nounChristian, adjectivechurch, nounchurchgoer, nounchurchman, nounChurch of England, nounchurchwarden, nounchurchwoman, nounchurchyard, nounclergyman, nounclergywoman, nouncleric, nounclerical, adjectiveclerk, nouncloister, nouncollect, nouncommandment, nouncommunicant, nouncompline, nounconfess, verbconfession, nounconfessional, nounconfessor, nounconfirmation, nouncongregation, nounCongregationalism, nounconsecrate, verbcope, nouncreationist, nouncreche, nouncrib, nouncrosier, nouncrozier, nouncrucifix, nouncrucifixion, nouncrusade, nouncrusade, verbcrypt, nouncuracy, nouncurate, noundeacon, noundeaconess, noundean, noundeanery, noundiocese, noundisciple, noundisestablish, verbdispensation, noundog collar, nounDominican, nounEaster, nounecclesiastic, nounecclesiastical, adjectiveecumenical, adjectiveEden, nounelder, nounencyclical, nounEpiphany, nounepiscopal, adjectiveEpistle, nounevangelical, adjectiveevangelist, nounevangelize, verbevensong, nounexcommunicate, verbexegesis, nounfellowship, nounflagellant, nounflagellate, verbflock, nounfont, nounFr, friar, nounfrock, nounfundamentalist, noungargoyle, noungenuflect, verbgodfather, nounGod-fearing, adjectivegodless, adjectivegodly, adjectivegodmother, noungodparent, noungodson, nounGood Friday, noungrace, noungracious, adjectiveHail Mary, nounharvest festival, nounHigh Church, nounHigh Mass, nounHoly Communion, nounHoly Father, nounHoly Spirit, nounHoly Week, nounHoly Writ, nounhomily, nounhymn book, nounimprimatur, nounincarnation, nouninduct, verbindulgence, nouninquisitor, nouninterdenominational, adjectiveinterdict, nounJehovah, Jesuit, nounJesus, judgment day, nounlay, adjectivelay reader, nounlectern, nounlesson, nounlitany, nounLow Church, nounlychgate, nounMadonna, nounmanna, nounmanse, nounmatins, nounmeeting-house, nounmessianic, adjectiveMethodist, nounminister, nounministerial, adjectiveministry, nounminster, nounmiracle, nounmissal, nounmissionary, nounmitre, nounmoderator, nounMonsignor, nounMorning Prayer, nounmortal sin, nounMother of God, nounMother Superior, nounname day, nounNativity, nounNativity play, nounnave, nounNegro spiritual, nounNoah's ark, nounNonconformist, adjectivenuncio, nounoffertory, nounoratory, nounordination, nounoriginal sin, nounOur Father, nounOur Lady, Our Lord, padre, nounPalm Sunday, nounpapacy, nounpapal, adjectivepapist, nounparable, nounparish, nounparish church, nounparish clerk, nounparishioner, nounparochial, adjectiveparochial school, nounparson, nounparsonage, nounpassion play, nounpastor, nounpatriarch, nounpatron saint, nounpenance, nounpenitent, nounPentecost, nounPentecostal, adjectiveperdition, nounPlymouth Brethren, nounpontiff, nounpontifical, adjectivepontificate, nounPope, nounprayer book, nounpredestination, nounprelate, nounPresbyterian, nounpresbytery, nounpriest, nounPrimate, nounprior, nounprioress, nounpriory, nounPromised Land, the, Protestant, nounpsalm, nounpsalmist, nounpsalter, nounpulpit, nounQuaker, nounRC, rector, nounrectory, nounredeem, verbredemption, nounrequiem, nounRev, Revd, Reverend, nounReverend Mother, nounrevival, nounrevival meeting, nounRoman Catholic, adjectiverood screen, nounrosary, nounsacrament, nounsacristan, nounsacristy, nounsaint, nounsainted, adjectivesainthood, nounsaint's day, nounsalvation, nounsanctuary, nounSatan, nounsave, verbschism, nounscriptural, adjectivesecular, adjectivesee, nounseminary, nounseraph, nounsermon, nounsexton, nounShrove Tuesday, nounsister, nounsisterhood, nounSJ, special licence, nounsteeple, nounstigmata, nounstoup, nounSunday school, nounsurplice, nounsynod, nountabernacle, nountestify, verbtransubstantiation, nounTrappist, noununfrock, verbUnitarian, nounvenial, adjectivevespers, nounvestment, nounvestry, nounvicar, nounvicarage, nounvotive, adjectivevow, nounVulgate, the, nounWhitsun, nounwimple, nounXmas, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a witness testifies
1[intransitive, transitive] to make a formal statement of what is true, especially in a court of law: (=makes a statement)· We had two witnesses who testified that they had seen him hitting his wife.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► also· McDougal also testified that Clinton was not involved with the loan.· He also testified to a cut or damage in another area of the glove.· But some lawmakers who also testified accused the banks of gouging customers.· She also testified that Irvin had terrorized her in an effort to make her recant her testimony against him.
► before· Senators and congressmen take their calls, invite them to testify before official hearings and act on their advice.· The student said that he had actually enjoyed the class, and he refused to testify before a panel.
► later· There, Rodriguez later testified, Juan Miguel Cabrera attacked her.· Cabrera, 27, started ripping off her clothes and tried to rape her, she and Hernandez testified later.
NOUN► behalf· The deputy promised he'd testify on Farner's behalf at a trial.· In 1995, he testified on behalf of displaced owners in the vicinity of the new Bank One Ballpark.· Another, Darlene, may testify on his behalf.· When her family contested the will, Agia ominously testified on behalf of Mons from her grave.· He was able to testify on his own behalf and have witnesses who testified for him.· Erik, generally portrayed as the weaker brother, testified on behalf of both siblings.· He testified on behalf of municipal-owned gas distribution companies, who have struggled with the high wholesale prices.
► case· She's failed to testify and the case has collapsed.· He did not testify in the criminal case.· Madonna, whose full name is Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, has resisted testifying in this case for some time.
► committee· The day he testified to the Judiciary Committee, his usual confident ease was absent.
► court· Gutiérrez had reportedly been due to testify in court that his orders to assassinate Jaramillo had come from Pablo Escobar.· The woman testified in court about the threat.· One former Garcia confidante has testified in court that his old boss handed out millions to government officials who protected his shipments.· After the Missouri trial, a federal appeals court ruled that Elwell should not have been allowed to testify.· He was interviewed by Judge Patrick King in his chambers, but did not testify in open court.· But Anderson, testifying in the same court proceeding, denied telling Becker that.
► fact· His war correspondence testifies to the fact.· Anthony Chua will testify to the fact.· Indeed, her room-mates will testify to the fact that the experience was a nightmare.
► house· Republican policy-makers hated him passionately, and hated having to testify before the House because of him.
► importance· All this testifies to the extreme importance attached to every status-symbol in an avidly status-conscious age.· In their own ways, each man testified to the importance of labor as a force in Democratic politics.
► official· No administration officials are scheduled to testify in person.
► senate· A few days later, Rabbi Loewy returned to Baton Rouge to testify before the state senate.
► trial· Mr Molto is not testifying at this trial.· Simpson, who did not testify in the criminal trial, spent several days on the witness stand in the civil trial.· McDougal testified at the same trial that the meeting with Clinton and Hale never took place.· These investigators have routinely been allowed to testify at criminal trials as expert witnesses, offering what appeared to be scientific data.· Lyle did not testify in the second trial.· In the end, Nelson Mandela was the only witness to testify in the trial.· It was the first time he had ever testified at a trial on photo authenticity.
► witness· On Aug. 11-12, however, the Commission heard from seven witnesses who testified that the police assisted in the massacre.· Homicide inspectors said they suspected Temple in the Mullins case but were unable to get witnesses willing to testify until last year.· The trial, in which 200 witnesses are due to testify, is expected to last another six weeks.· There was nearly unanimous support for a national leprosy bill among the fourteen witnesses who testified.· Even if the depositions were sealed, witnesses who testified are entitled to disclose what they say.· In the end, Nelson Mandela was the only witness to testify in the trial.· Among the scores of witnesses called to testify was convicted drug smuggler George Morales.· He was able to testify on his own behalf and have witnesses who testified for him.
► woman· Religious experience offered a release through which women could testify to an authoritative experience in which gender was transcended.· The woman testified in court about the threat.· Thousands of women can already testify to Regina's extraordinary power to restore balance and well-being in their bodies.· These women testify to liberate their suffering.· Two of the women who testified against him knew where he lived and had been to his home.· The women testified as prosecution witnesses in the penalty phase of his murder trial.· In July, three women testified that they were raped and beaten by Bokin.· Seven different women testified during the five-week trial and each told a similar story.
VERB► agree· Prosecutors dropped the charges against Richardson on the first day of the trial, when he agreed to testify against Medina.· Allen agreed last month to testify but fled before he could be called to the stand, prosecutors said.
► allow· Witnesses have been allowed to testify anonymously.· These investigators have routinely been allowed to testify at criminal trials as expert witnesses, offering what appeared to be scientific data.· After the Missouri trial, a federal appeals court ruled that Elwell should not have been allowed to testify.· Another was Lloyd Carlo Douglas, whom prosecutors allowed to falsely testify that he had no criminal convictions.
► call· Bye was called in to testify once Brett left, and he was asked to produce Yardley the next day.· Among the scores of witnesses called to testify was convicted drug smuggler George Morales.
► force· The boycott was sufficient to force both to testify before a special session of the lower house budget committee on Feb. 25.· Both sides have reacted warily to the mounting pressure to force her to testify.· This would force them to testify, but would make this area of the law anomalous.· Last week, prosecutors said they would grant Mrs Moon immunity from prosecution in order to force her to testify.
► prepare· Pappas had been prepared to testify against Turner after he was arrested on drug charges.· Caldwell also talked with several other women preparing to testify against Johnson.
► refuse· At first, Bilonick refused to testify.· Huang has refused to testify unless granted partial immunity from prosecution.· The charge was dropped when Lewinksy refused to testify.· The committee was forcing Dozoretz to attend Thursday's hearing to publicly refuse to testify.· Miller refused to testify, and paid for his irreverence by being officially labeled a pinko.· The victim changed her mind and refused to testify.· The student said that he had actually enjoyed the class, and he refused to testify before a panel.
Mr Molto has agreed to testify at the trial.testify against Later, the witness who had testified against Muawad withdrew his allegation.2[intransitive, transitive] written to show clearly that something is the casetestify to The empty shops in the high street testify to the depth of the recession.testify that The full ashtrays testify that smoking hasn’t been stubbed out. Can you testify that you saw the defendant at the scene of the crime?3[intransitive] American English to stand up and tell people about how God has helped you in your life SYN witness