Alibi
/ˈælɪbaɪ/
nounIntermediate📊CommonLegal
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
A statement or evidence that shows someone was not at the place where a crime was committed at the time it was committed.
/ˈælɪbaɪ/
nounneutralIntermediate
Legal
A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a crime, was committed.
He had a solid alibi, proving his innocence.
💡 Simply: Proof you weren't there when something happened.
More Examples
2
The police investigated his alibi thoroughly.
How It's Used
Legal
"The defendant presented a strong alibi, placing him miles away at the time of the robbery."
Fiction
"Her alibi was weak, full of inconsistencies and easily debunked."
From Latin *alibi* "elsewhere," used in legal contexts since the 16th century.
The word's use in legal contexts has remained consistent throughout history.
Memory tip
Think 'alibi' as 'elsewhere I be'.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"elsewhere"
establish an alibiironclad alibiweak alibi
Common misspellings
alibiealibiyalbye
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written