Alibi Meaning and Definition
Alibi
Pronunciation
/ˈælɪbaɪ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
In law, an alibi is a defense used in a trial, where a person claims to have been somewhere else at the time of an event or crime, with the intention of proving they were not involved.
Examples
- The lawyer presented an alibi for his client, claiming they were at a movie theater at the time of the crime.
- She used her alibi to prove she was not at the party and couldn’t have committed the vandalism.
Synonyms
- Affirmation
- Exclusionary evidence
Antonyms
- Confession
- Incrimination
Etymology
The word ‘alibi’ comes from the Latin phrase ‘alia ibi’, meaning ‘elsewhere’, and refers to the act of providing evidence that one was elsewhere at the time of an event or crime.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, such as court proceedings, alibi is typically used in the singular form. In informal contexts, however, it can be used in either the singular or plural forms, with the plural form often referring to a series of alibis presented by different individuals.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the term alibi has been used in numerous films, TV shows, and books to describe a character’s defense against suspicion or accusation.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
‘Had an alibi’ is a common idiomatic expression used to describe someone’s attempt to prove they were not involved in a particular event or crime.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage include ‘affirmation’, ‘exclusionary evidence’, and ‘denial’.
Collocations
Common collocations with the term ‘alibi’ include ‘present’, ‘provide’, ‘offer’, and ‘challenge’.
The term ‘alibi’ is relatively rare in everyday conversation, but is often used in formal contexts, such as courtroom proceedings, and in fictional narratives.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings and variations of the term ‘alibi’ include ‘albibi’ and ‘alifa’.