What's the difference between "eyewitness" and "witness" in definition? Are they interchangeable?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

They are interchangeable when using them as nouns. "Eyewitness" is a noun for someone who saw something happen and can describe it. A "witness" is a noun with a similar meaning, where a person saw something happen. But, it's also a verb to "witness" something- to see something happen or to experience it. Ex: The eyewitness messed up his testimony in court. What are we gonna do now? => noun Ex: We are here today to witness the marriage of these two people. => verb Ex: Are you a witness? When does the trial begin? => noun Ex: They witnessed the crime happening! They can be an eyewitness for us. => verb and noun

How do native speakers use this expression?

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