testimonial
/ˌtestɪˈməʊniəl/ (bre, ipa) · [tˌɛstəmˈoniəl] /ˌtestɪˈməʊniəl/ (ame, ipa) · [tˌɛstəmˈoniəl] /ˌte-stə-ˈmō-nē-əl How to pronounce testimonial (audio) -nyəl/ (ame, mw)
testimonial — noun
- testimonialsingular
- testimonialsplural
1. a written or spoken statement in which someone praises a person, product, or ser
a written or spoken statement in which someone praises a person, product, or service and mentions their good qualities
Ada left a glowing testimonial on the website after her kitchen renovation.
collocation: 'glowing testimonial'
The company displays customer testimonials on the homepage to build trust with visitors.
Imran read several testimonials before choosing which online course to sign up for.
Yuna's video testimonial about the charity's work moved hundreds of viewers to donate.
Fatima's testimonial about the corner bakery brought twenty new customers through the door that month.
- recommendation
broader: can be informal or verbal; 'testimonial' often implies a public, written statement
- endorsement
implies giving official support, often by a celebrity or authority figure
- reference
more commonly used in employment contexts for checking a person's background
用法筆記
Often used in marketing and business contexts to describe customer reviews that publicly endorse a product or service.
2. a formal letter, usually from a past employer, describing a person's work skills
a formal letter, usually from a past employer, describing a person's work skills, character, and suitability for a new job
Ignacio asked his former manager to write a testimonial for his university application.
testimonial + for + [purpose]
Kian's testimonial highlighted his reliability and skill with difficult customers.
The job advertisement requested two written testimonials from employers within the last five years.
Imani received a strong testimonial from the law firm where she interned last summer.
Dmitri lost the hotel reception job because his former manager never sent the testimonial she had promised.
- reference
the more common everyday term for a letter from a past employer
- recommendation letter
interchangeable in most contexts; slightly more common in American English
- character reference
emphasises personal qualities rather than professional skills
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (STATEMENT OF PRAISE): this sense is specifically a formal reference letter from a previous employer used for job or academic applications.
3. a special sports match held to celebrate a well-known player's career, with the
a special sports match held to celebrate a well-known player's career, with the money raised going to that player
Christopher played his final testimonial match in front of fifty thousand cheering fans.
collocation: 'testimonial match'
The club organised a testimonial for Indra after his twenty years of loyal service.
All proceeds from the testimonial went to the retiring goalkeeper's chosen charities.
Stefan's testimonial game drew fans from six countries to the small town stadium.
- benefit match
similar concept but the money can go to a cause rather than the player
- farewell match
emphasises the goodbye aspect without the fundraising element
用法筆記
Mainly used in British English, especially in football and rugby. The event honours one specific player, and the ticket money typically goes to them directly or to charities they choose.
常見錯誤
4. a gift, event, or action that shows admiration and respect for someone, often pr
a gift, event, or action that shows admiration and respect for someone, often presented publicly
The mayor presented Kwame with a testimonial for his decades of community work.
testimonial + for + [contribution]
At the retirement dinner, colleagues offered Haruto a handwritten testimonial and a gold watch.
The school library was named as a testimonial to the head teacher's thirty years of dedication.
The charity dinner served as a testimonial to the volunteers' tireless efforts.
- tribute
broader: can be spoken, written, or in the form of an event or object
- token of appreciation
less formal; often used for smaller gestures rather than public ceremonies
- commendation
typically an official written statement of praise rather than a physical gift
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (STATEMENT OF PRAISE): this sense involves a physical object or an event given as a tribute, not a written or spoken statement.
testimonial — adjective
- testimonialpositive
- more testimonialcomparative
- most testimonialsuperlative
1. connected with formal testimony, especially in a legal setting
connected with formal testimony, especially in a legal setting
The lawyer objected to the testimonial evidence because it relied on hearsay.
collocation: 'testimonial evidence'
Witnesses provided testimonial accounts of what they saw on the night of the fire.
The court considered both documentary and testimonial proof before reaching a verdict.
Her testimonial statement was read aloud during the first day of the trial.
- evidentiary
more technical and strictly legal; 'testimonial' is slightly broader
- attestive
rare; means serving as formal proof or witness
用法筆記
Common in legal contexts. Distinguish from adjective sense 2 (EXPRESSING APPRECIATION), which relates to honouring someone rather than legal testimony.
2. done or given to show admiration and gratitude for someone's work or service
done or given to show admiration and gratitude for someone's work or service
The company hosted a testimonial dinner to mark forty years of the CEO's leadership.
collocation: 'testimonial dinner'
Ilan received a testimonial plaque from the hospital where she had volunteered for decades.
The testimonial speeches at the gala brought the retiring professor to tears.
A testimonial concert was held in memory of the composer's life and work.
- commemorative
focuses on remembering a person or event rather than expressing personal gratitude
- honorific
emphasises bestowing honour or a title; more formal and ceremonial
- appreciative
describes a general feeling of gratitude rather than a public event or gift
用法筆記
Often appears before nouns such as dinner, banquet, award, or concert. Distinguish from adjective sense 1 (RELATING TO TESTIMONY), which concerns legal evidence.