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:
Nguyen repaid only $24,000, according to the affidavit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
The affidavit noted he is a legal Indian immigrant with a home and bank accounts in that country, has access to private jets and threatened to “run away” if caught in a difficult situation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
According to an arrest affidavit, Butler was discovered by law-enforcement officials alone inside the car after the crash.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
Investigators also said that Butler ran several Google searches on his phone, apparently frustrated that FSD wasn’t “aggressive” enough, the affidavit said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
“I’ve got an affidavit here,” the sheriff pressed on, pulling it free of his shirt pocket.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
The contents of affidavits in support of the warrant and the warrants themselves are under seal.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 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
The FBI declined to share more information, citing the fact that the affidavits have been sealed by the court.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
There were no cameras in the auditorium, or in the hallways leading to it, and two cameras outside didn’t capture all the exits, the affidavits said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
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.
