testify
verb
tes·ti·fy ˈte-stə-ˌfī 
testified; testifying
intransitive verb
1
: to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court)
2
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness
b
: to serve as evidence or proof
3
: to express a personal conviction
transitive verb
1
a
: to bear witness to : attest
b
: to serve as evidence of : prove
2
: to declare under oath before a tribunal or officially constituted public body
3
archaic
a
: to make known (a personal conviction)
b
: to give evidence of : show
testifier
ˈte-stə-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun 
Synonyms
- attest
- depose
- swear
- witness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She refused to testify about who had given her the information. She testified before Congress today. He agreed to testify against his drug dealer. He testified that he'd seen two people leave the building on the night of the murder. These statistics testify that the program is working. Several people testified during the revival meeting. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Bass told The Times in a statement that she has not been asked to testify at trial. 
Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Cheney asked Pat Cipollone, Trump’s White House counsel, to testify. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2022 The committee had asked Navarro to testify and provide documents related to the Trump administration's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Paulina Smolinski, CBS News, 17 June 2022 The longtime Larrimah couple hadn’t been asked to testify this time around. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 But when Russ earned the right to a retrial years after his conviction, Pam wasn't asked to testify, thereby missing an opportunity for yet another story. Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2022 The committee in January had asked Ms. Trump to testify on a voluntary basis, one of a handful of individuals whom the panel publicly sought without issuing a subpoena. Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 5 Apr. 2022 Ornato and Engel, who each cooperated with the committee before the June hearing, reportedly wanted to testify again to clear up potential disputes with Hutchinson’s testimony. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Siegelman is expected to testify remotely this afternoon. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Cheney asked Pat Cipollone, Trump’s White House counsel, to testify. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2022 The committee had asked Navarro to testify and provide documents related to the Trump administration's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Paulina Smolinski, CBS News, 17 June 2022 The longtime Larrimah couple hadn’t been asked to testify this time around. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 But when Russ earned the right to a retrial years after his conviction, Pam wasn't asked to testify, thereby missing an opportunity for yet another story. Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2022 The committee in January had asked Ms. Trump to testify on a voluntary basis, one of a handful of individuals whom the panel publicly sought without issuing a subpoena. Siobhan Hughes, WSJ, 5 Apr. 2022 Ornato and Engel, who each cooperated with the committee before the June hearing, reportedly wanted to testify again to clear up potential disputes with Hutchinson’s testimony. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022 Siegelman is expected to testify remotely this afternoon. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English testifien, from Anglo-French testifier, from Latin testificari, from testis witness
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a
Phrases Containing testify
Kids Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy ˈte-stə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
: to make a formal statement of something sworn to be true
Two witnesses testified in court.
Legal Definition
testify
verb
tes·ti·fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī
testified; testifying
intransitive verb
: to make a solemn declaration under oath or affirmation for the purpose of establishing a fact : give testimony
transitive verb
: to declare in testimony
testifies
verb
as in attests
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact several witnesses testified that they had seen the accused in the vicinity of the crime scene Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- attests
- swears
- witnesses
- verifies
- bears witness
- deposes
- vouches
- vows
- promises