evidence
Americannoun
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that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
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something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign.
His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
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Law. data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.
- Synonyms:
- affidavit, deposition, information
verb (used with object)
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to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest.
He evidenced his approval by promising his full support.
- Synonyms:
- demonstrate
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to support by evidence.
He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters.
idioms
noun
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ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood
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a mark or sign that makes evident; indication
his pallor was evidence of ill health
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law matter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etc See also circumstantial evidence direct evidence
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(of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime
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on display; apparent; conspicuous
her new ring was in evidence
verb
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to make evident; show clearly
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to give proof of or evidence for
Related Words
Evidence, exhibit, testimony, proof refer to information furnished in a legal investigation to support a contention. Evidence is any information so given, whether furnished by witnesses or derived from documents or from any other source: Hearsay evidence is not admitted in a trial. An exhibit in law is a document or article that is presented in court as evidence: The signed contract is Exhibit A. Testimony is usually evidence given by witnesses under oath: The jury listened carefully to the testimony. Proof is evidence that is so complete and convincing as to put a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt: proof of the innocence of the accused.
Other Word Forms
- counterevidence noun
- preevidence noun
- reevidence verb (used with object)
- superevidence noun
- unevidenced adjective
- well-evidenced adjective
Etymology
Origin of evidence
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun from Middle French, from Latin ēvidentia; evident, -ence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And now the retreat in the VIX is evidence that investors’ moves to seek protection via options has peaked, Lee says.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
Most of the evidence so far comes from laboratory experiments and animal models.
From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026
However, the review said it would be "wrong to describe the event as evidence of institutional racism, as this misses an important point".
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
Consumer sentiment fell in April to the lowest level recorded in the 74-year history of the University of Michigan’s survey, evidence of Americans’ concerns that the Iran war will hit the domestic economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Everybody knew what happened to the refreshments but as usual you couldn’t prove anything because the evidence was gone and Gladys was gone.
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
