testify

verb

USTES-ti-fy/ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/

Formstestifies, testifying, testified

3 meanings of testify

Practice

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make a declaration or give evidence under oath, as a sworn witness does.
He was called to testify before the grand jury last week.
Several engineers testified that the bridge had serious structural flaws.
Similarattest, swear, depose
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To serve as a sign or proof that something is true or exists.
The ancient ruins testify to a once-thriving civilization.
His calm voice testified to years of training under pressure.
Similarattest, show, demonstrate, prove, indicate
3
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make a statement about something based on personal knowledge or faith.
Believers often gather to testify about their personal experiences of faith.
She testified that she had seen the recovery with her own eyes.
Similardeclare, affirm, attest, witness

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Origin

From Middle English testifien, borrowed from Old French testifier, from Latin testificārī ("to bear witness"), which combines testis ("a witness") with facere ("to make").