Attest
/əˈtɛst/
verbIntermediateCommonLegal
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To provide evidence or testimony to the truth of something.
/əˈtɛst/
verbneutralIntermediate
Legal
To bear witness to; to affirm to be true
The signature attests to the validity of the contract.
💡 Simply: To say something is true, especially as a witness.
More Examples
2
Several experts attested to the effectiveness of the new treatment.
How It's Used
Legal
"The witness attested to the defendant's innocence."
Formal Writing
"The document attests to the authenticity of the painting."
From Old French attestier, from Latin attestari, from ad- "to" + testari "to bear witness".
Historically, 'attest' was used more frequently in legal and religious contexts.
Memory tip
Think 'attest' as 'a test' of truth.
Practice
Base: attest
attesstatest
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written