American English

How to pronounce testifying

verbB2Common word
TEHStuhfaiihng

/ˈtʰɛs.təˌfaɪ.ɪŋ/

4 syllables · Stress the first syllable.

Related entry: testify

to speak in court or in an official investigation about what you know, usually after promising to tell the truth

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

verbformal

to speak in court or in an official investigation about what you know, usually after promising to tell the truth

The witness testified in court.

She testified against her former boss.

Good to know

This word is usually used in court or another official setting. For a normal personal story, use tell or say.

Common phrases & grammar

testify under oath · testify before a committee · testify for the defense

testify in court

testify against someone

verbformalless common

to state formally that something is true, based on what you know or have experienced

Her experience testifies to the value of good training.

He testified that the report was accurate.

Common phrases & grammar

testify to the truth · testify to the importance of something

testify to something

testify that something is true

verbformalless common

to show clearly that something is true or that something happened

The ruins testify to the city's long history.

Their success testifies to years of hard work.

Common phrases & grammar

testify to the damage · testify to someone's skill

something testifies to something

Useful expressions

testify under oath

to give evidence after promising to tell the truth

The witness testified under oath.

testify against someone

to give evidence that may harm someone in a legal case

He agreed to testify against the suspect.

Related words & forms

The y changes to i before -es and -ed: testifies, testified. Before -ing, keep the y: testifying.