alibi

1 of 2

noun

al·i·bi ˈa-lə-ˌbī How to pronounce alibi (audio)

: the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission

His alibi was that he was at the movies at the time of the crime.

also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time

: an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence)

made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting

: someone or something that provides a person with an alibi

His wife was his alibi.

alibi

2 of 2

verb

alibied; alibiing

transitive verb

: to exonerate (someone) by an alibi : to furnish an excuse for

… took statements from anyone not alibied.

Joseph Wambaugh

intransitive verb

: to offer an excuse

Did you know?

In Latin, alibi was an adverb that meant “elsewhere.” When the word was first adopted into English in the 18th century, it was still limited to its adverbial use. A person on trial might be said to prove himself alibi when the crime was committed. By the end of that century, however, alibi had acquired the status of a noun and was used in legal contexts for “the plea of having been elsewhere at the time of the crime.” The meaning of the word was then extended to apply to the fact or state of having been elsewhere when a crime was committed.

Example Sentences

Noun Nobody could confirm his alibi that he was at the movies. Her doctor is her alibi: she was in surgery at the time of the murder. She made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Unfortunately, my overall lifestyle serves as a poor alibi for this level of athletic devotion.

Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2020 Although Russ had an airtight alibi and witnesses who backed up his story, he was still convicted of her murder in 2013.

Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 This — and his having no alibi — raised suspicions, and Zdorov was arrested.

New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 After all, Taylor, then 17, had what seemed the best imaginable alibi: When Jeffrey Lassiter and Sharon Haugabook were shot to death on Nov. 16, 1992, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Taylor was behind bars in a nearby police lockup.

Steve Mills, ProPublica, 30 May 2022 His defense team in the second trial had again raised the golf range alibi, but Colucci was not among the witnesses who testified, records show.

Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022 But Shelton had an alibi for the night of the shooting.

Emma Steele, CBS News, 6 May 2022 After Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting found issues with the alibi of a previous suspect, lawyers representing Dennis Perry, the man convicted of the double murder, decided to conduct a DNA test.

Joshua Sharpe, ajc, 21 Jan. 2022 Meanwhile, Aileen lies to the police about Brian’s whereabouts on the night in question, her natural maternal protective instinct being to provide an alibi.

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2022

Verb

When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion).

David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion).

David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 In 1992, Bill Clinton felt compelled to alibi his youthful encounter with marijuana.

Mark Z. Barabak, latimes.com, 24 Oct. 2017 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Latin alibī "in another place, elsewhere," from alius "other" + -bī, locative suffix (as also in ibi, ibī "in that place, there," ubi, ubī "where?"), going back to Indo-European *-d^he (also in Oscan puf "where?," Umbrian pufe, Old Church Slavic kŭde, Sanskrit kúha, all going back to *k^wu-d^he) + a particle *-i — more at else

Verb

derivative of alibi entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Legal Definition

alibi

noun

al·i·bi

: a defense of having been somewhere other than at the scene of a crime at the time the crime was committed

also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time a crime was committed

Note: Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.1 requires the defendant to provide notice upon written demand of an intention to offer a defense of alibi. The prosecution must provide to the defendant the names of witnesses that will be used to rebut it.

单词	alibiing
释义	alibi 1 of 2 noun al·i·bi ˈa-lə-ˌbī 1 : the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission His alibi was that he was at the movies at the time of the crime. also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time 2 : an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence) made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting 3 : someone or something that provides a person with an alibi His wife was his alibi. alibi 2 of 2 verb alibied; alibiing transitive verb : to exonerate (someone) by an alibi : to furnish an excuse for … took statements from anyone not alibied. Joseph Wambaugh intransitive verb : to offer an excuse Did you know? In Latin, alibi was an adverb that meant “elsewhere.” When the word was first adopted into English in the 18th century, it was still limited to its adverbial use. A person on trial might be said to prove himself alibi when the crime was committed. By the end of that century, however, alibi had acquired the status of a noun and was used in legal contexts for “the plea of having been elsewhere at the time of the crime.” The meaning of the word was then extended to apply to the fact or state of having been elsewhere when a crime was committed. Synonyms Noun apology defense excuse justification plea reason See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun Nobody could confirm his alibi that he was at the movies. Her doctor is her alibi: she was in surgery at the time of the murder. She made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting. Recent Examples on the Web Noun Unfortunately, my overall lifestyle serves as a poor alibi for this level of athletic devotion. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2020 Although Russ had an airtight alibi and witnesses who backed up his story, he was still convicted of her murder in 2013. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 This — and his having no alibi — raised suspicions, and Zdorov was arrested. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 After all, Taylor, then 17, had what seemed the best imaginable alibi: When Jeffrey Lassiter and Sharon Haugabook were shot to death on Nov. 16, 1992, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Taylor was behind bars in a nearby police lockup. Steve Mills, ProPublica, 30 May 2022 His defense team in the second trial had again raised the golf range alibi, but Colucci was not among the witnesses who testified, records show. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022 But Shelton had an alibi for the night of the shooting. Emma Steele, CBS News, 6 May 2022 After Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting found issues with the alibi of a previous suspect, lawyers representing Dennis Perry, the man convicted of the double murder, decided to conduct a DNA test. Joshua Sharpe, ajc, 21 Jan. 2022 Meanwhile, Aileen lies to the police about Brian’s whereabouts on the night in question, her natural maternal protective instinct being to provide an alibi. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2022 Verb When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion). David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion). David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 In 1992, Bill Clinton felt compelled to alibi his youthful encounter with marijuana. Mark Z. Barabak, latimes.com, 24 Oct. 2017 See More Word History Etymology Noun borrowed from Latin alibī "in another place, elsewhere," from alius "other" + -bī, locative suffix (as also in ibi, ibī "in that place, there," ubi, ubī "where?"), going back to Indo-European -d^he (also in Oscan puf* "where?," Umbrian pufe, Old Church Slavic kŭde, Sanskrit kúha, all going back to k^wu-d^he) + a particle -i — more at else Verb derivative of alibi entry 1 First Known Use Noun 1731, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense Phrases Containing alibi alibi witness alibi witness Kids Definition alibi noun al·i·bi ˈa-lə-ˌbī plural alibis 1 : the explanation given by a person accused of a crime that he or she was somewhere else when the crime was committed 2 : an excuse intended to avoid blame She made up an alibi for why she was late. Legal Definition alibi noun al·i·bi : a defense of having been somewhere other than at the scene of a crime at the time the crime was committed also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time a crime was committed Note: Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12.1 requires the defendant to provide notice upon written demand of an intention to offer a defense of alibi. The prosecution must provide to the defendant the names of witnesses that will be used to rebut it. History and Etymology for alibi Latin, elsewhere, from alius other alibiing verb present participle of alibi as in rationalizing Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance rationalizing accounting (for) explaining away explaining passing over justifying ignoring shrugging off condoning brushing (aside or off) winking (at) glossing (over) excusing forgiving glozing (over) disregarding pardoning remitting
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alibi

noun

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing alibi

Kids Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

verb