testify

verb

USTES-ti-fy/ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/

Formstestifies, testifying, testified

3 meanings of testify

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To say what you know is true in court, after promising to be honest.
Like promising to tell the whole truth before you share what you know.
She agreed to testify in court about what she saw that night.
The driver will testify tomorrow about how the accident happened.
Similarattest, swear, depose
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To show or prove that something is true.
Like footprints in the snow that show someone walked by.
The empty plates testify to how good the meal was.
Her bright smile testifies to her happiness.
Similarattest, show, demonstrate, prove, indicate
3
verbtransitive or intransitive
To say openly what you believe or know to be true.
Like telling everyone the story of something that truly happened to you.
Many people testify about how their faith changed their lives.
I can testify that hard work really does pay off.
Similardeclare, affirm, attest, witness

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Origin

From Latin testificari "to bear witness," made from testis "a witness" and facere "to make." It came into English through Old French.