vouch

1 of 2

verb

ˈvau̇ch 

vouched; vouching; vouches

intransitive verb

1

a

: to supply supporting evidence or testimony

b

: to give personal assurance

2

: to give a guarantee : become surety

transitive verb

1

: to summon into court to warrant or defend a title

2

a

: prove, substantiate

b

: to verify (a business transaction) by examining documentary evidence

3

archaic

a

: assert, affirm

b

: attest

4

archaic : to cite or refer to as authority or supporting evidence

vouch

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: allegation, declaration

Synonyms

Verb

• attest
• authenticate
• avouch
• certify
• testify (to)
• witness

Choose the Right Synonym for vouch

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 vouch in a Sentence

Verb

a scientist who can vouch for the accuracy of the results

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Publishers had to vouch that an author had resided in the U.S. for at least 10 years and was pursuing naturalization or had no viable pathway to do so. —Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Mar. 2024

The ones that participated in the experiment were volunteered by their owners, who vouched that their pets knew at least five words for objects. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English vochen, vouchen, from Anglo-French voucher to call, vouch, from Latin vocare to call, summon, from vox voice — more at voice

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vouch

• vouch for

Kids Definition

vouch

verb

ˈvau̇ch

1

: to give a guarantee

vouch for the truth of a story

2

: to supply supporting evidence or testimony

Legal Definition

vouch

verb

ˈvau̇ch 

transitive verb

1

: to summon into court

2

: to verify (a business transaction) by examining documentary evidence

intransitive verb

1

: to become surety

2

a

: to supply supporting evidence or testimony

b

: to give personal assurance

Etymology

Verb

Anglo-French voucher to call, summon, summon to court as guarantor of a title, ultimately from Latin vocare to call, summon