attest

verb

at·​test ə-ˈtest 

attested; attesting; attests

transitive verb

1

a

: to affirm to be true or genuine

specifically : to authenticate by signing as a witness

b

: to authenticate officially

2

: to establish or verify the usage of

a word that was first attested in the 18th century

3

: to be proof of : manifest

Her record attests her integrity.

4

: to put on oath

intransitive verb

: to show, prove, or state that something is true or real

—usually used with to

I can attest to the truth of his statement.

attest to a belief

attester

ə-ˈte-stər 

noun

Synonyms

• authenticate
• avouch
• certify
• testify (to)
• vouch (for)
• witness

Choose the Right Synonym for attest

certify, attest, witness, vouch mean to testify to the truth or genuineness of something.

certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

Examples of attest in a Sentence

I can attest that what he has said is true.

The certificate attests the authenticity of the painting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rival Louisville can attest to the challenge of replacing a legend. —Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Anita Hill, Christine Blasey Ford, and several more of our previous participants can attest that their experiences with us have been truly life-changing. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024

As the difficulty of keeping PayPal alive attests, American investors are courageous while at the same time not foolish. —John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Half an hour south of the capital in Hsinchu, the semiconductor manufacturing center sometimes called Taiwan’s Silicon Valley, the high-speed rail station is packed with Western business travelers, attesting to the island’s irreplaceable role in the global technology supply chain. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French attester, from Latin attestari, from ad- + testis witness — more at testament

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

attest

verb

at·​test ə-ˈtest 

1

: to affirm to be true

2

: to be proof of

the result attests the truth of that statement

attestation

ˌa-ˌtes-ˈtā-shən 

noun

attester

ə-ˈtes-tər 

noun

Legal Definition

attest

verb

at·​test ə-ˈtest 

transitive verb

: to bear witness to : affirm to be true or genuine

specifically : to authenticate (as a will) by signing as a witness

intransitive verb

: to bear witness : testify

—often used with to

attestation

ˌa-ˌtes-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Etymology

Latin attestari, from ad to + testari to call to witness, from testis witness