Okuzeka
Law vocabulary · Evidence & Proof

Testify

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈtestɪfaɪ/verbCore term

In law, testify means: To give evidence in court or at another formal hearing, usually by answering questions after promising to tell the truth.

In Turkish: tanıklık etmek, ifade vermek, beyanda bulunmak

How it is used

Witnesses, experts and the parties themselves can testify. Common patterns are 'testify in court', 'testify against/for someone', 'testify that…' and 'testify under oath'. The noun is 'testimony'. In British courts 'give evidence' is very common with the same meaning.

Example sentences

  1. The site manager testified that the safety barriers had been removed the day before.

  2. Two former employees agreed to testify at the hearing.

Common collocations

  • testify in court
  • testify under oath
  • testify against
  • refuse to testify
  • testify that
  • testimonyA formal statement that a witness makes in court or in writing, usually under oath, about facts they know.
  • witnessA person who tells a court what they saw, heard or know about a case; also someone who watches a document being signed and then signs it too.
  • oathA formal and serious promise to tell the truth in court or to carry out official duties faithfully, usually spoken aloud in a set form of words.
  • evidenceDocuments, objects, statements and other information that a court uses to decide which facts are true.
  • cross-examinationThe questioning of a witness by the lawyer for the other side, in order to test the witness's account and find weaknesses in it.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Evidence & Proof

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.