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:
“She coordinated the trip with an associate and used tradecraft to avoid detection,” Essayli said on his social-media account, citing the affidavit in the case.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
The allegations against Ross raised in the affidavit appear to align with claims his ex-girlfriend, influencer Jazzma Kendrick, levied against the rapper.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
After waiting 30 days from the date of your mother’s death, you can complete and notarize this affidavit.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 27, 2026
The other provided an affidavit to the agency which was never read.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
Walter resolved to go and I helped him arrange for a substitute passport, an affidavit stating his identity and citizenship.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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
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
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
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.
