testify

5 definitions • 10 examples

(of a person) to speak seriously about something, especially in a law court, or to give or provide proof:

[ + that ] He testified that he had seen the man leaving the building around the time of the murder.

I can testify to the foregoing since I was actually present when it happened.

(of a fact, event, etc.) to show something or prove that something is true:

These monuments testify to the prosperity of the country and the richness of its culture.

This act of generosity testifies to the kind of person you are.

As his story testifies, social mobility is not a myth.

to speak seriously about something, esp. to tell what you know about a case in a court of law after you have officially promised to tell the truth:

[ I ] Elizabeth testified before a grand jury.

[ + that clause ] One witness testified that she saw the thief running away.

to make a formal statement about something, especially in a court of law:

testify that He testified that the store owner had lied when he applied for the state license.

The senator testified to the House Committee on Financial Services.

to say that something is true:

Managing people is not easy, as many new managers can testify.