affidavit
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing affidavit
The Crucible
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Tangerine
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Unbroken
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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.
See Examples For:
The affidavit also stated that it had prepared a transcript of the cockpit voice recorder but didn't reveal more details.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
You could also file a small‑estate affidavit or summary probate, which is often less expensive and faster than the full probate process.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
The affidavit did not say when the report would be made public or disclose any findings related to the crash.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
When Ma asked for his money back, Nguyen told him there wasn’t any, according to the affidavit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
I immediately got an affidavit from Darnell stating that Hooks's testimony was a lie.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
They further said that An’s claims are supported by affidavits and written communications from multiple eyewitnesses, including La Roux.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
Bonta said “the affidavits did not identify any specific felony offense the sheriff had probable cause to believe had been committed or that a particular person had committed a felony.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 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
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
Nothing is lacking: official reports, affidavits of well-known people, of surgeons, of priests, of magistrates; the judicial proof is most complete.
From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
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.
