testament

/ˈtestəmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtestəmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈte-stə-mənt/ (ame, mw)

testament — noun

  • testamentsingular
  • testamentsplural

1. Something that strongly indicates the reality or truth of a particular quality,

1.名詞B2
釋義

Something that strongly indicates the reality or truth of a particular quality, fact, or situation.

例句

The new community library is a testament to the generosity of local residents.

pattern: a testament to + noun phrase

That Iris still runs daily at seventy-five is a testament to her discipline.

同義詞
  • evidence

    more general; can be direct or indirect; does not require a causal link

  • proof

    stronger than testament; implies certainty rather than strong indication

  • indication

    less emphatic; a sign without the weight of confirmation

  • tribute

    adds a sense of honour or respect to what is shown

反義詞

文法句型

a testament to + noun phrase

stands as a testament to + noun phrase

be a testament to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used in the singular form, typically in the fixed phrase 'a testament to something'. The subject is usually an abstract result or concrete outcome, and the object is the cause or quality that produced it.

常見錯誤

❌His success is a testament of hard work.
✅His success is a testament to hard work.
💡testament takes the preposition 'to', not 'of'.
❌The award is a testaments to his skill.
✅The award is a testament to his skill.
💡testament is not usually made plural in this sense.

2. A formal legal document in which a person states how their property, money, and

2.名詞B2
釋義

A formal legal document in which a person states how their property, money, and possessions should be handled after they die.

例句

In her last will and testament, Talia left her art collection to the city museum.

phrasal pattern: last will and testament

The lawyer read Hari's testament aloud to the family gathered in the living room.

同義詞
  • will

    the everyday term; 'testament' is more formal and often paired with 'last will and'

  • bequest

    refers to the act of leaving something, not the document itself

文法句型

last will and testament

make a testament

sign a testament

用法筆記

The fixed phrase 'last will and testament' is a legal doublet — both 'will' and 'testament' once referred to different types of documents, but today they are used together as a single formal expression. In everyday legal writing, 'will' alone is more common; 'testament' on its own sounds more formal or historical.

常見錯誤

❌He wrote a testament to give his money to charity.
✅He wrote a will giving his money to charity.
💡in everyday English, 'will' is the natural word; 'testament' alone sounds overly formal outside legal documents.

3. A written or spoken statement that declares a person's deeply held beliefs, prin

3.名詞C1
釋義

A written or spoken statement that declares a person's deeply held beliefs, principles, or faith, especially one made publicly or formally.

例句

The group's founding testament declares a commitment to protecting the natural environment.

formal context: founding testament

Christopher wrote a personal testament of his faith before leaving on the mission.

同義詞
  • creed

    a formal statement of religious belief; narrower than testament

  • declaration

    more general; can be about any subject, not only deeply held beliefs

  • profession

    emphasises the public, verbal nature of the statement; slightly dated

反義詞
  • denial

    a statement that rejects a belief or principle

文法句型

testament of + noun phrase

political testament

personal testament

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (proof): sense 3 describes a deliberate declaration of belief, not indirect evidence. The phrase 'Old Testament' and 'New Testament' (the two parts of the Christian Bible) are proper nouns and do not follow the countable usage of this sense.

常見錯誤

❌His success is a testament of his determination.
✅His success is a testament to his determination.
💡when meaning 'proof' (sense 1), use 'to'; 'testament of' is reserved for the belief/creed sense (sense 3).