evidence
Americannoun
-
that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
-
something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign.
His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
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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)
-
to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest.
He evidenced his approval by promising his full support.
- Synonyms:
- demonstrate
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to support by evidence.
He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters.
idioms
noun
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ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood
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a mark or sign that makes evident; indication
his pallor was evidence of ill health
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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
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(of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime
-
on display; apparent; conspicuous
her new ring was in evidence
verb
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to make evident; show clearly
-
to give proof of or evidence for
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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counterevidencenoun
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preevidencenoun
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superevidencenoun
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reevidenceverb (used with object)
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unevidencedadjective
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well-evidencedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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evidencesimple
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evidencessimple
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have evidencedperfect
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has evidencedperfect
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am evidencingprogressive
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are evidencingprogressive
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is evidencingprogressive
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have been evidencingperfect progressive
-
has been evidencingperfect progressive
Past
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evidencedsimple
-
had evidencedperfect
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was evidencingprogressive
-
were evidencingprogressive
-
had been evidencingperfect progressive
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."
Vocabulary lists containing evidence
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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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:
Brown tree snakes are known to eat other snakes in their native range, but there is little evidence that they frequently prey on one another in Guam.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
By focusing on long-term legislative strategy, coalition-building, and institutional influence, these accounts present the trajectory as evidence of enduring personal political skill, rather than primarily as a product of early consultant-driven campaigns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
He spoke in June while introducing a bill requiring AI companies to report evidence of dangerous threats, including those posed by biological weapons, to the Commerce Department.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
Neil Gray said that decisions on how best to tackle the fire were taken on an "evidence basis" and the government "takes its lead from the emergency services in terms of our response."
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
“Well, that’s your problem. You refuse to see the evidence in front of you. Those dead branches are what’s keeping that plant from thriving.”
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
"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
Kamala Harris’s step-children calling her by an affectionate name that plays on the word “Mom”? This evidences a household that has all the love it needs — and all the humility.
From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2024
“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
People might comment, especially Saint Sarah, who makes it her business to pounce on evidences of grief, bereavement, any occurrence that mars the tra-la-la-la gaiety of everyday life.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Their reliance on the Manchester City striker is evidenced by the fact they win less than a third of games where he is not on the scoresheet.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
A result even Bayer-Monsanto seemed to doubt was possible after oral arguments, as evidenced by the intensification of their fight on every other available front.
From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026
It’s still true now—as evidenced by the potential jump in Coke’s 2026 tax rate from a loss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026
Besides the Iran situation, they also point out that there is no evidence of inflationary pressure on wages, as evidenced by real wage growth — that is, wages adjusted for inflation — turning sharply negative.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 15, 2026
As any modern parent knows, the baby-naming industry is booming, as evidenced by a proliferation of books, websites, and baby-name consultants.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
"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
There are surely no memos to the file, emails, or letters to the client evidencing such advice in writing.
From Slate ● Oct. 20, 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
Upon the utterance of these words the vast audience broke into thunders of applause, evidencing the fact that it was the sentiment of all.
From Alter Ego A Tale by Walker, W. W. (William Wesley)
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.
