attest

/əˈtɛst/

/əˈtɛst/

Other forms: attested; attests; attesting

To attest is to prove or declare to be true. For example: the fact that you aced the SAT attests to the strength of your vocabulary.

Attest and testify come from the same Latin word testari, which means "to declare." Although both words are kind of formal, you often testify in a courtroom, but attest doesn't require a court of law to function. You can attest to anything — that the funny looking shoes toned your thighs, that what someone says is true, or that the new acne medicine really works. To remember it, think of when you pass a test, you attest that you know the material.

Definitions of attest

1. verb

   provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
   “His high fever attested to his illness”

   synonyms: certify, demonstrate, evidence, manifest

   types:

   authenticate

   establish the authenticity of something

   reflect

   give evidence of

   reflect

   give evidence of a certain behavior

   notarise, notarize

   authenticate as a notary

   condemn

   demonstrate the guilt of (someone)

   prove

   obtain probate of

   mirror

   reflect or resemble

   attaint

   condemn by attainder

   type of:

   bear witness, evidence, prove, show, testify

   provide evidence for
2. verb

   authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity
   “I attest this signature”

   type of:

   affirm, assert, aver, avow, swan, swear, verify

   declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
3. verb

   establish or verify the usage of
   “This word is not attested until 1993”

   synonyms:

   certify, demonstrate, evidence, manifest

   provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes

   type of:

   show

   give evidence of, as of records
4. verb

   give testimony in a court of law
   synonyms: bear witness, take the stand, testify

   types:

   vouch

   give personal assurance; guarantee

   type of:

   declare

   state emphatically and authoritatively