affidavit
Americannoun
-
affidavits
plural
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:
Natalia said in a court affidavit that she and Allan had been romantically involved since 2002, but hadn’t married due to the objections of his children.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
On Friday, federal agents initially saw a suspicious individual, who was later identified as Taele, walking around the golf course, according to the affidavit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Searches of Yaroch’s ChatGPT showed that in May he asked, “If I had a million dollars, how would you suggest investing it/spending it to maximize profit and return,” according to the affidavit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 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
Someone who could sign an affidavit swearing to my name and nationality and religion.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
FBI officials confirmed the addresses but did not name the individuals subject to the searches, saying the affidavits for the warrants are under seal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
In the Posillico lawsuit, DHS moved to seal documents in the case, including any depositions or affidavits; Judge David A. Tapp signed off on the motion.
From Salon ● May 25, 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
The men who dictated the affidavits said they were among the few who refused.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 14, 2026
At the end, the detective makes us sign a few forms and tells us we’ll have to come in again for more formal affidavits, but that they’ll need some time to prepare a case.
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
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.
