Word
attested
Phoneticsat·test·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈtɛstɪd/
UK/ɐtˈɛstɪd/
Definition
adj. proven to be true or real because there is clear evidence or a record of it. You use this when you want to say that something is officially documented.
adj. supported by evidence or confirmed through official records. Often used in historical or linguistic contexts to describe forms or events whose existence is verified by written documents.
Examples
“The ancient city's existence is well attested in historical texts.”
“Linguists use an asterisk to mark words that are reconstructed rather than attested in surviving manuscripts.”
“While many myths are purely oral, this particular legend is attested in several thirteenth-century scrolls, providing researchers with a concrete timeline for its development.”
Examples
simple
“The ancient city's existence is well attested in historical texts.”
contextual
“Linguists use an asterisk to mark words that are reconstructed rather than attested in surviving manuscripts.”
complex
“While many myths are purely oral, this particular legend is attested in several thirteenth-century scrolls, providing researchers with a concrete timeline for its development.”
Usage
Often appears as a participial adjective following 'well' or 'widely'.
Real-World Examples
“He didn’t much like knowing he was going to die, as his final words attested.” “The existence of The Enchanter , also known as The Magician , was well attested, and its relation to Lolita was established by Nabokov himself.” Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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