# testify

/ˈtɛstəˌfaɪ/ (US) · /tˈɛstɪfˌaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/testify
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. in a court of law

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to make a formal statement in court, promising that what you say is true.

For teachers: to give evidence as a witness in a court of law or before a judicial body, typically under oath.

- The witness was nervous when she had to testify in court about the accident.
- Several former employees agreed to testify against the corporation, providing crucial evidence regarding the safety violations.

Usage: The verb is often followed by 'against' or 'on behalf of' a person.

### 2. to show or prove

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to be clear proof that something is true or exists.

For teachers: to serve as evidence or proof of a particular fact, quality, or situation.

- His many awards testify to his hard work and talent over the years.
- The high quality of the final product testifies to the meticulous attention to detail maintained throughout the manufacturing process.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'to'.

### 3. personal belief

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to speak openly about your personal experiences or religious beliefs.

For teachers: to make a public statement about one's personal experiences, especially regarding religious faith or a transformative event.

- During the meeting, several people stood up to testify about how the group helped them.
- Members of the congregation were invited to testify to their experiences of spiritual healing during the Sunday service.

Usage: Often used intransitively in religious contexts.

## Examples

- The witness agreed to testify against the suspect.
- Several former employees were called to testify during the investigation into the company's financial records.
- The crumbling ruins of the ancient temple testify to the immense power and architectural sophistication of a civilization that vanished centuries ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.