Evidence

/ˈɛvɪdəns/

nounmediumVery CommonLegal

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

/ˈɛvɪdəns/

nounneutralmedium
Legal

Something that gives reason to believe a fact

The police gathered evidence from the crime scene.

💡 Simply: Evidence is like clues that help you figure out what happened or if something is true. Like, if you find footprints near a cookie jar, that's evidence someone might have taken a cookie!

👶 For kids: Evidence is like a clue that tells you something is true.

More Examples

2

The jury examined the evidence carefully.

3

There is no evidence to support his claims.

How It's Used

Legal

"The evidence presented in court proved the defendant's guilt."

Scientific

"Scientists collected evidence to support their hypothesis."

General

"There was no evidence of forced entry."

2

To show clearly; indicate.

/ˈɛvɪdəns/

verbneutralAdvanced
Legal

To be or show evidence of something.

The data evidenced a clear trend.

💡 Simply: To evidence something is to show something clearly, like the evidence from the clues.

👶 For kids: To show clearly that something is true.

More Examples

2

His nervous behavior evidenced his fear.

How It's Used

Literary

"Her distress evidenced her guilt."

Tip:Imagine the evidence making itself clear.

Idioms & expressions

in evidence

Present and noticeable.

"His anger was very much in evidence."

From Middle English *evydens*, from Old French *evidence* (noun), from Latin *ēvidentia* ('obviousness, clearness'), from *ēvidēns* ('obvious, apparent').

The word's legal and scientific meanings have been central since its early use, reflecting its role in establishing facts.

Memory tip

Think of 'eye-witness' to remember that evidence helps you see the truth.

evidanceevadenceevidens

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written