testimony

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountablelegal

   A statement made by a witness, usually under oath in court, as evidence.

   Grammar: Often uncountable: give testimony. Also countable: her testimony was long.

   Patterns

   • give testimony
   • testimony against someone
   • testimony about something

   Her testimony convinced the jury that the driver was at fault.

   The witness gave testimony for three hours.

   The judge struck the testimony from the record.

2. 2nounsingularformal

   Something that clearly shows that a fact or quality is true.

   Grammar: Usually a testimony to something: this is a testimony to her skill.

   Patterns

   • a testimony to something

   The restored bridge is a testimony to the town's pride.

   Her success is a testimony to years of hard work.

   The long line outside the shop is testimony to its popularity.

Word forms

Common combinations

give testimony

He agreed to give testimony at the trial.

eyewitness testimony

Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable.

expert testimony

Expert testimony helped explain the data.

conflicting testimony

Conflicting testimony left the jury divided.

testimony to

The museum stands as testimony to the city's history.

Synonyms and how they differ

evidence

Evidence is wider and includes objects and documents, while testimony is spoken or written statements.

statement

Statement is any declaration, and testimony is made formally as proof.

deposition

A deposition is sworn testimony taken outside court, usually before a trial.

proof

Proof suggests a conclusive demonstration, which testimony alone may not give.

Opposites

Word family

testify verb

to give evidence in court

testimonial noun

a statement praising someone or something

testament noun

evidence or proof of something

attest verb

to confirm that something is true

Commonly confused: testimony or testimonial?

Practice

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