witness

Someone who saw an event happen, especially an accident or crime.

• Police are looking for a witness.
• Two witnesses saw the car hit the wall.
• Were you a witness to the argument?

How to use it: witness to something (She was a witness to the accident.)

Similar words: eyewitness, observer

Common phrases: a witness, witness to something

Someone who tells a court what they know about a case.

• The witness answered the lawyer’s questions.
• Three witnesses gave evidence during the trial.
• The judge asked the witness to speak clearly.

How to use it: witness for someone/something (He appeared as a witness for the prosecution.)

Common phrases: witness statement, call a witness, witness for someone, defence witness

To see an event happen or experience it yourself.

• I witnessed the accident.
• She has witnessed great changes in her town.
• Did anyone witness the man entering the building?

How to use it: witness something happen (They witnessed the bridge collapse.)

Similar words: see, observe, experience

Common phrases: witness an accident, witness a change, witness something happen

If a place or period experiences an event or change, it happens there or during that time.

• The city witnessed rapid growth.
• The last decade has witnessed major changes in education.
• These streets witnessed fierce fighting during the war.

Similar words: experience, see

Common phrases: witness rapid growth, witness major changes, witness a decline

To watch someone sign an official document and add your signature to confirm it.

• Can you witness my signature?
• A neighbour witnessed the signing of her will.
• The deed must be witnessed by an independent adult.

Similar words: attest

Common phrases: witness a signature, witness a will, witness a deed