evidence

American  

[ev-i-duhns] / ˈɛv ɪ dəns /

noun

1. that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.

2. something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign.

   His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.

3. 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

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verb (used with object)

evidenced, evidencing

1. to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest.

   He evidenced his approval by promising his full support.

   Synonyms:

   demonstrate

2. to support by evidence.

   He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters.

idioms

1. in evidence, plainly visible; conspicuous.

   The first signs of spring are in evidence.

evidence British  

/ ˈɛvɪdəns /

noun

1. ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood

2. a mark or sign that makes evident; indication

   his pallor was evidence of ill health

3. 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

4. (of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime

5. on display; apparent; conspicuous

   her new ring was in evidence

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verb

1. to make evident; show clearly

2. to give proof of or evidence for

evidence More Idioms  

1. see in evidence; much in evidence.

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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; see evident, -ence

Explanation

Evidence is anything that can be used to prove something — like the evidence presented in a trial, or the trail of bread crumbs that is evidence of the path Hansel took through the woods. The word evidence is derived from the Latin ēvidēnt-, meaning "obvious." The word evidence shows up frequently in legal documents and dramas, because evidence is necessary proof in linking someone to a crime or crime scene. Evidence is used in many ways to show that something is true, as in "the chocolate stains around your mouth and the crumbs on the table are evidence that you ate the last of the brownies."

Example Sentences

It was part of a haul of evidence gathered by police at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium, home to non-league side Maldon and Tiptree.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

There is little scientific evidence that oral biotin helps hair or nail growth in people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

Some early evidence suggests that the doomsayers may have been onto something.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

That came after a February raid on X’s Paris offices by French law enforcement and prosecutors seeking evidence in their probe.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Though we can learn much about the Fox sisters’ actions from their believers and detractors, we have little direct evidence for what Maggie or Kate truly thought or felt about their lives.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• clue
• confirmation
• data
• deposition
• documentation
• indication
• information
• sign
• testimony
• witness