Attest: meaning, definitions and examples

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attest

[əˈtɛst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

legal

To provide or serve as evidence; to testify or bear witness. To affirm or authenticate officially.

Synonyms

certify, confirm, validate.

Examples of usage

He attested to the authenticity of the document.
The witness attested under oath.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

professional

To certify or acknowledge as valid or true. To guarantee the competency of someone.

Synonyms

assert, endorse, vouch for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
attest	Use 'attest' when you need to confirm something is true or genuine, usually based on personal knowledge or expertise. I can attest to his remarkable cooking skills. The witness attested that she saw the suspect at the scene of the crime.
endorse	Use 'endorse' when you support or approve someone or something publicly, especially when it relates to products, services, or official policies. The celebrity endorsed the new mobile phone brand. The candidate was endorsed by many local politicians.
vouch for	Use 'vouch for' when you personally guarantee or confirm the good character, condition, or quality of someone or something. I can vouch for his honesty and reliability. She vouched for the quality of the restaurant's food.
assert	Use 'assert' when you want to state something confidently and forcefully as a fact, often without need for proof. He asserted his innocence throughout the trial. She asserted that the policy was unfair.

Examples of usage

The doctor attested that the patient was in good health.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

general

To show or prove to be true. To demonstrate the validity of something.

Synonyms

confirm, demonstrate, substantiate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
attest	Officially or formally verify something, often used in legal or professional settings. The notary will attest your signature I can attest to his good character
confirm	Verify the truth or accuracy of something, commonly used in everyday situations and communications. Can you confirm our meeting time? The test results confirm the diagnosis
demonstrate	Show or prove something clearly, often through actions or evidence, frequently used in educational or practical contexts. The teacher will demonstrate the experiment She demonstrated her commitment by working late
substantiate	Provide evidence to support or prove the truth of something, generally used in formal writing or speech. You need to substantiate your claims with more evidence His research helped substantiate the theory

Examples of usage

His actions attest to his commitment to the cause.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Originates from the Latin word 'attestari', which means 'to bear witness'.
The prefix 'ad-' in Latin means 'to', and 'testari' means to 'witness or testify'.
The word evolved through Old French before entering the English language in the late 14th century.

Law

In legal contexts, to attest can mean to affirm or certify a document’s authenticity.
Witnesses must attest to facts in court, confirming their truthfulness under oath.
The role of an attester is crucial in notarizing documents, helping to prevent fraud.

Psychology

Human memory can be unreliable, making it important for witnesses to attest to what they recall accurately.
Attesting to experiences can play a significant role in personal narratives and self-identity.
Studies show that when people attest to knowledge, their confidence affects their credibility.

Pop Culture

In reality TV, contestants often attest to their strategies in interviews, providing insights to viewers.
Musicians may release testimonies or endorsements to attest the quality of their work.
Movies about courtroom drama often revolve around characters who testify or attest to the truth.

Education

In educational settings, students often attest to their understanding of material through tests or presentations.
Teachers might ask students to attest to their homework, encouraging accountability.
Peer reviews in academia allow scholars to attest to the validity of each other’s research.

Translations

Translations of the word "attest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 atestam

🇮🇳 प्रमाणित करना

🇩🇪 bescheinigen

🇮🇩 mengesahkan

🇺🇦 засвідчити

🇵🇱 zaświadczać

🇯🇵 証明する

🇫🇷 attester

🇪🇸 atestiguar

🇹🇷 tasdik etmek

🇰🇷 증명하다

🇸🇦 يشهد

🇨🇿 potvrdit

🇸🇰 potvrdiť

🇨🇳 证明

🇸🇮 potrditi

🇮🇸 staðfesta

🇰🇿 куәландыру

🇬🇪 დამოწმება

🇦🇿 təsdiqləmək

🇲🇽 atestiguar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,780, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13777 interlocking
13778 disgusting
13779 rebate
13780 attest
13781 rattle
13782 scribe
13783 diarrhoea
...