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Testify: meaning, definitions and examples

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testify

 

[ ˈtɛstɪˌfaɪ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in court

To give evidence as a witness in a law court.

Synonyms

attest, bear witness, give evidence, swear

Examples of usage

  • She refused to testify against her husband.
  • He agreed to testify in the trial.
Context #2 | Verb

declare

To make a formal statement, especially in a court of law.

Synonyms

affirm, assert, declare, state

Examples of usage

  • The witness will testify that he saw the suspect at the scene of the crime.
  • The victim was willing to testify against the perpetrator.

Translations

Translations of the word "testify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 testemunhar

🇮🇳 गवाही देना

🇩🇪 bezeugen

🇮🇩 bersaksi

🇺🇦 свідчити

🇵🇱 zeznawać

🇯🇵 証言する

🇫🇷 témoigner

🇪🇸 testificar

🇹🇷 tanıklık etmek

🇰🇷 증언하다

🇸🇦 يشهد

🇨🇿 svědčit

🇸🇰 svedčiť

🇨🇳 作证

🇸🇮 pričati

🇮🇸 vitna

🇰🇿 куәлік ету

🇬🇪 მოწმედ ყოფნა

🇦🇿 şahidlik etmək

🇲🇽 testificar

Word origin

The word 'testify' comes from the Latin word 'testificari', which is a combination of 'testis' (witness) and 'facere' (to make). Originally used in legal contexts, 'testify' has evolved to encompass a broader range of contexts where one gives evidence or makes a formal statement.

See also: attest, detest, protest, retest, test, testable, testament, tester, testifications, testimony, testiness, tests, untested.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,422 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.