What Is Meant By 'Testimonial'?

Normally a testimonial is a formal letter or similar document, testifying (ie, bearing witnes to or providing evidence of) a person's character, abilities, conduct or qualifications. The word reference is commonly used instead of testimonial.

You might ask your boss for a testimonial (or reference) when you leave your job, for instance.

A less common meaning of this word is "a gift presented to a person as a amark of esteem" (Oxford English Dictionary In this sense a retirement present given to a valued emlpoyee could also be called a testimonial. However, the first use is the normal one.

It comes from the Latin testiminoium,  which means a statement made under oath (modern testimony) or a statement of fact.