Testimonial Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/tɛsˈtɪmənɪəl/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A written statement or testimony, usually from a satisfied customer, that expresses their positive experience or opinion about a product, service, or company.

Examples

• The company shared several testimonials from happy customers on their website.
• The teacher provided testimonials from students who had improved significantly after using the new curriculum.

Synonyms

• Endorsement
• Review
• Citation

Antonyms

• Complaint
• Criticism

Additional Information

Testimonials are often used in marketing and advertising to build trust and credibility with potential customers. They can be written or documented in various forms, such as video, audio, or images. Testimonials can also be used to provide social proof and demonstrate the effectiveness of a product or service.

Testimonials are typically attributed to the person who provided the statement, and may include their name, job title, or company information. This helps to establish credibility and authenticity for the testimonial.

In some cases, testimonials may be edited or filtered to ensure that they meet certain standards or guidelines. This is especially true for sensitive or controversial topics, or when the testimonial is being used in a formal or professional setting.

Etymology

The word “testimonial” comes from the Latin “testimonium,” meaning “witness” or “proof,” and the suffix “-al,” indicating connection or relationship.

Usage Notes

Testimonials are often used to promote a product, service, or company, but they can also be used in academic or professional settings to demonstrate expertise or build credibility.

In formal writing, it’s common to use the phrase “testimonial to” or “testimonial from” to indicate the source of the testimonial, followed by the statement or quote.

Cultural References

Testimonials have appeared in various forms of media, including films, television shows, and documentaries. For example, “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013) features testimonials from former investors who lost money due to the main character’s fraudulent activities.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Word of mouth is the best testimonial”
• “A picture is worth a thousand testimonials”

Related Words or Phrases

• Citation
• Endorsement
• Recommendation
• Review

Collocations

• Testimonial quote
• Testimonial letter
• Testimonial video
• Testimonial statement

Frequency of Use

The word “testimonial” is commonly used in marketing and advertising, particularly in the digital age where online reviews and ratings have become increasingly important.

Common Misspellings

• Tistimonial
• Testamony
• Testimonialis