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

At the most basic level, workers could submit affidavits attesting to their medical problems and collect $1,300 — and residents could collect $900. —Travis Loller, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

Some warnings are better heard without shouting, as Coppola’s elegant and wrenching tour de force attests. —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

As brick-and-mortar shops can attest, there is a newfound hunger for physical media from a public that’s grown weary of digital media. —Ron Hart, SPIN, 17 Apr. 2024

And, as Mistress Isabelle Brooks, Kandy Muse, The Vixen, and more can attest to, that's a difficult hurdle — and often unfair label — for anyone to overcome (especially for queens of color). —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024

And after a 24-hour pack out with two buddies that included an emergency overnight stop with no water or food (besides sheep meat), Dahlke can attest that the only difference between a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep ewe hunt and a ram hunt is the mount on his wall. —Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024

The company has been accused of not doing enough to ensure its aircraft and other products are up to standards, and some former employees attest the company has been doing shoddy work for years. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024

As Indira Varma can attest, inhabiting Lady Macbeth eight times a week — in a production spanning four cities and five months, no less — is a gratifying but taxing affair. —Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Others attest to an over-the-top love of cruise ships: WARNING! —Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 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 

: to give proof of : testify to

the result attests the truth of that statement

I can attest to your innocence

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