alibi
AL-uh-by
/ˈæl.ə.baɪ/
A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an alleged act, especially a criminal one, took place.
An alibi specifically proves physical impossibility—that the person was literally somewhere else during the crime.
The story behind the word. In Latin, 'alibi' literally meant 'elsewhere' or 'in another place' (from 'alius' meaning 'other'). It was adopted into English legal jargon in the 18th century as an adverb meaning 'elsewhere', and eventually became a noun for the defense itself.
Word relationships
- defense: Defense is a broad legal strategy, whereas an alibi specifically asserts physical presence elsewhere.
- excuse: An excuse offers reasons for an action, whereas an alibi proves the person did not commit the action.
- presence: Presence means being at the crime scene, which directly destroys an alibi.
Commonly confused with
- affidavit: An affidavit is a sworn written statement, while an alibi is a specific defense argument regarding physical location.
Collocations
- airtight alibi
- establish an alibi
- shatter an alibi
- alibi witness
Example sentences
- "Security camera footage provided the suspect with an airtight alibi, showing he was in Chicago at the time of the robbery." Police interrogation
Memory hook
ALI-BI: ALI was BY the beach in Miami, nowhere near the crime scene! Elsewhere when it happened.
When not to use
Do not use 'alibi' merely to mean a general excuse for bad behavior unless informal context permits.
Fun facts
- In Latin, 'alibi' is purely an adverb of place, but English speakers turned it into a noun, verb, and key criminal defense.
Related words
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