alibi

American  

[al-uh-bahy] / ˈæl əˌbaɪ /

noun

plural

alibis

1. Law. the defense by an accused person of having been elsewhere at the time an alleged offense was committed.

2. an excuse, especially to avoid blame.

   Synonyms:

   justification, reason, explanation

3. a person used as one's excuse.

   My sick grandmother was my alibi for missing school.

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verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to give an excuse; offer a defense.

   to alibi for being late.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal.

   1. to provide an alibi for (someone).

      He alibied his friend out of a fix.

   2. to make or find (one's way) by using alibis.

      to alibi one's way out of work.

alibi British  

/ ˈælɪˌbaɪ /

noun

1. law

   1. a defence by an accused person that he was elsewhere at the time the crime in question was committed

   2. the evidence given to prove this

2. informal an excuse

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verb

1. (tr) to provide with an alibi

Etymology

Origin of alibi

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin alibī (adverb): “in another place, elsewhere”

Example Sentences

It was less an expression of empathy than a preemptive alibi.

From Salon

"The alibis that were placed forward around the time of the trial; they've been blown out of the water," adds Mr Maleary.

From BBC

“Unless we know exactly what time the property was stolen, and from what address, an alibi is irrelevant.”

From Literature

Eagle said things were only made worse by his former attorney, Patrick Lake, who didn’t make an opening statement at trial or raise any of Eagle’s alibi evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Investigators claimed in a summary corrective action plan shared by the supervisors that Torres did not provide “a consistent alibi.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excuse
• justification
• pretext