testimony
A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.
Examples
3 of 5She gave her testimony about the car accident to the police.
She told the police what she saw during the car crash.
The court accepted the written testimony from the expert witness.
The judge took the written statement from the person who knows a lot about the topic.
Your messy room is testimony to how busy you have been.
Your messy room shows very clearly that you have been very busy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Test'. In court, the judge tests your story. Your story is your 'test-imony'.
Quick Quiz
The witness provided a very convincing ______ during the trial.
Correct!
The correct answer is: testimony
Examples
She gave her testimony about the car accident to the police.
everydayShe told the police what she saw during the car crash.
The court accepted the written testimony from the expert witness.
formalThe judge took the written statement from the person who knows a lot about the topic.
Your messy room is testimony to how busy you have been.
informalYour messy room shows very clearly that you have been very busy.
Historical documents provide testimony to the life of the king.
academicOld papers give us proof about how the king lived.
We included a customer testimony in our annual report.
businessWe put a customer's positive story in our yearly business book.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
bear testimony to
to show or prove that something exists or is true
silent testimony
proof that is seen rather than spoken
under oath
having made a formal promise to tell the truth
Often Confused With
Testify is the action (verb), while testimony is the statement itself (noun).
Evidence is a general word for proof; testimony is specifically proof given by a person speaking or writing.
Usage Notes
In legal contexts, use 'give' or 'provide' with testimony. In everyday English, it often means 'proof' of a situation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'testimony' as a verb. For example, saying 'He testimonied in court' instead of 'He gave testimony'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Test'. In court, the judge tests your story. Your story is your 'test-imony'.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'testimonium', which comes from 'testis', meaning 'a witness'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking legal systems, giving false testimony (perjury) is a serious crime.
Quick Quiz
The witness provided a very convincing ______ during the trial.
Correct!
The correct answer is: testimony
Related Vocabulary
A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or...
judgeA judge is a person who works in a court of law and makes of...
lawyerA lawyer is a professional person who studies the law and he...
evidenceInformation or objects that help to prove something is true...
courtA court is a flat, rectangular area marked with lines for pl...
More law words
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trial
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hearing
A1In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.
litigation
A1Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.
witness
A1A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.
crime
A1A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.
criminal
A1A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.
felony
A1A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.
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