testify

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/ See IPA manual

Freq #3642

Meanings

1

verb
To give evidence in a court of law, usually under oath.

She agreed to testify against her former employer.
2

verb
To be clear proof or evidence of something.

The crowds testify to the band's huge popularity.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to give evidence in a court... attest

2 verb · to be clear proof or... show

Word family

Forms testifiedtestifiestestifying

Related forms attest testimonial testimony

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Middle English testifien, borrowed from Old French testifier, from Latin testificārī (“to bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”) + facere (“to make”). See -fy.

*steh₂- Proto-Indo-European testifien Middle English testifier Old French testificor Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# testify

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/
**Frequency rank:** 3642

## Meanings
1. To give evidence in a court of law, usually under oath.
2. To be clear proof or evidence of something.

## Examples
- She agreed to testify against her former employer.
- The crowds testify to the band's huge popularity.

## Related Forms
- attest
- testimonial
- testimony

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *steh₂-
- Root: testifien
- Root: testifier
- Root: testificor

## Etymology
PIE word *tréyes From Middle English testifien, borrowed from Old French testifier, from Latin testificārī (“to bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”) + facere (“to make”). See -fy.

## AI Etymology
Testify PIE word *tréyes From Middle English testifien, borrowed from Old French testifier, from Latin testificārī (“to bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”) + facere (“to make”). See -fy. In present-day use, it can mean to give evidence in a court of law, usually under oath, or to be clear proof or evidence of something.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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