affidavit

American  

[af-i-day-vit] / ˌæf ɪˈdeɪ vɪt /

noun

Law.

• affidavits
  plural

1. a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official.

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affidavit British  

/ ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt /

noun

1. law a declaration in writing made upon oath before a person authorized to administer oaths, esp for use as evidence in court

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preaffidavit
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• affidavits
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of affidavit

First recorded in 1615–25; from Medieval Latin affīdāvit “(he) has declared on oath,” 3rd-person singular perfect of affīdāre “to declare an oath”; see affiance

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Explanation

If you make a written statement to the police or another recognized authority like a notary public that you swear is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, what you've put down on paper is an affidavit. We get the noun affidavit from the Latin affidare, which means "to pledge." When you state something in an affidavit, you're pledging to the powers that be that you're not lying. The word usually appears in legal settings; if you watch a lot of cop shows or courtroom dramas, it probably rings a bell. "According to the affidavit, Mrs. Smith told police she found the burglar in her closet wearing her most expensive pair of shoes."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

affidavit affidavits

The affidavit identifies the woman with the initials “JK” and alleges the dispute broke out on the morning of Aug. 28 after Ross confronted the woman about being tagged in an Instagram photo.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

As executor and person with the affidavit, you are responsible for making sure all outstanding debts are paid.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026

Dixon’s affidavit was filed Wednesday by a whistleblower group as part of an investigation request to the EPA’s Office of Inspector General.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

The other provided an affidavit to the agency which was never read.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

The other affidavit was from a defense attorney who had extensive experience in state prosecutions.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

These tactics are often employed by transnational criminal groups that consist primarily of Mexican citizens from Sinaloa state, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent said in affidavits filed in federal court last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

“Where we don’t have research, clinical trials, what we’ve got a ton of, is, shall we say, testimonials, patient affidavits, attesting to the wonders of the drug,” said Scott Brunner, the alliance’s chief executive officer.

From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2026

The affidavits were initially sealed upon request of the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office; there was concern if details of the investigation were disclosed, evidence could be destroyed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026

In affidavits submitted to the court, supporters noted that Gil’s was the very last place that was safe and decent and dignified for the city’s worst off.

From Slate ● Mar. 25, 2026

We had submitted an extensive clemency petition to the governor with affidavits from family members and color photographs, but I didn't expect anything in response.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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Related Words

• oath
• testimony

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