testify

1 of 2

verb

tes·​ti·​fy ˈte-stə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying
Synonyms of testify

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 How to pronounce testify (audio)
noun

testifier

2 of 2

noun

tes·​ti·​fi·​er ˈtestəˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce testifier (audio)
-īə
plural -s
: one that testifies : witness
especially : a religious proselyte

Synonyms of testify

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of testify in a Sentence

Verb 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
No one who later testified before the grand jury said who first proposed sending settlement money to Hope Florida, but the amount going to the foundation settled at $10 million. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Kelsch testified that Farwell was 27-years-old and Birchmore was 15-years-old when the texts were exchanged. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 SpaceX agreed to testify earlier this week after the council threatened to have its subpoena enforced by a judge. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 During his testimony, Busfield cited the WBTV investigation and said that other witnesses would be able to testify. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for testify

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English testifien, from Anglo-French testifier, from Latin testificari, from testis witness

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of testify was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing testify

Rhymes for testify

See All Rhymes for testify

Browse Nearby Words

testifier
testify
testify for the defense/prosecution
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Testify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testify. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
testified; testifying
1
a
: to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief
could testify to the student's devotion to her studies
b
: to make a formal statement of what one swears is true
testified in court
2
: to give outward proof : serve as a sign of
yawns testifying to fatigue
testifier
-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce testify (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

testify

verb
tes·​ti·​fy ˈtes-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce testify (audio)
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
testifier noun
Etymology

Verb

Latin testificari, from testis witness

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