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evidence

American  
[ev-i-duhns] / ˈɛv ɪ dəns /

noun

  • evidence
    plural
  1. An image of the word evidence as defined by that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.

    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

verb (used with object)

  • evidences,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • evidenced,
    past participle,  past
  • evidencing
    present participle
  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make evident; show clearly

  2. to give proof of or evidence for

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
evidence More Idioms  
  1. see in evidence; much in evidence.


Synonym Usage

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.

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Inflected Forms

Nouns

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing evidence

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:

The family says there is absolutely no evidence they were involved in any violent activity.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 19, 2026

So far, the most compelling piece of evidence publicly reported by authorities was a flash of light captured by a trail camera about 2 a.m. on Aug 2.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 19, 2026

He supported the campaign for an adoption apology by providing evidence from his own research.

From BBC Sep. 18, 2026

But there’s surprisingly little evidence that data centers have broadly driven residential electricity inflation so far.

From MarketWatch Sep. 18, 2026

Mr. Smit set out before him the incriminating evidence he had found: two spoons and a piece of carrot on the stairs, pipe ashes in an “unoccupied” bedroom.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

"I think it evidences the fact that there is an ongoing threat in respect of dissident republican activity," he said.

From BBC Jul. 24, 2026

The “rush to seek death in this case evidences strong emotional reactions” by the Utah County Attorney’s Office and the prosecutor whose child attended Kirk’s talk, Robinson’s lawyers said.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 16, 2026

So the bias that exists just really means that we have to be very careful in taking small steps to show evidences.

From Salon Nov. 2, 2025

“The European Parliament should not accuse a country without evidences coming out from the competent judicial authorities,” said the email, sent in the name of the lawmaker Andrea Cozzolino.

From New York Times Dec. 15, 2022

I found it a large, handsome residence, showing abundant evidences of wealth in the proprietor.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

The spirit was high in the England camp during the World Cup - as evidenced by their brilliant victory against Mexico in the last 16 with 10 men.

From BBC Sep. 17, 2026

The way they do everything, of course, as evidenced by the siblings’ meeting in their mother’s garage, attempting to resolve their seemingly irreconcilable differences about their mother’s fate and their parts in it.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 8, 2026

He noted that Woody Creek has long been viewed as the “bohemian suburb of Aspen,” as evidenced by the land being used as a parking spot by writer Hunter S. Thompson when they moved in.

From MarketWatch Aug. 12, 2026

Americans, particularly young professionals, seem less interested in bonding with co-workers, as evidenced by the decline of happy hours.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 23, 2026

Mr. Muhammad evidenced the depth of his trust in me.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

"Our far-reaching theory encompasses all systems evidencing such transverse interactions. Conceivable applications range from colloid research to biology," declares co-author Dr. Michael te Vrugt, Assistant Professor at the University of Mainz.

From Science Daily Oct. 21, 2025

When negligence is particularly egregious—either so preventable or evidencing such disregard for the safety of the people affected—it becomes a criminal wrong.

From Slate Jan. 27, 2023

I am super proud that is evidencing itself today in our fulfillment margins and our gross margins, with all of these changes we made during what was the most difficult time we have ever had.

From The Verge Jul. 26, 2022

"Economic conditions are evidencing some signs of perhaps slowing somewhat down", said Mark Luschini, Chief Investment Strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott.

From Reuters Apr. 11, 2022

It has often been pointed out that Keats’s lovers have a habit of “swooning,” and the fact has sometimes been remarked upon as evidencing a certain want of virility in himself.

From Life of John Keats by William Michael Rossetti

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