evidence
Americannoun
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that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
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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)
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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
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on display; apparent; conspicuous
her new ring was in evidence
verb
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to make evident; show clearly
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to give proof of or evidence for
Related Words
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
- counterevidence noun
- preevidence noun
- reevidence verb (used with object)
- superevidence noun
- unevidenced adjective
- well-evidenced adjective
Etymology
Origin of evidence
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun from Middle French, from Latin ēvidentia; evident, -ence
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.
Fire investigation officer, David Hadjicostas, told the BBC podcast that a forensic contractor allowed crucial evidence to be put in a skip.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Social media is rife with fabricated satellite imagery, heatmaps and other pseudo forensic visuals used to cast doubt on genuine evidence from the war, researchers say.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Authorities searched his business in November 2019 and seized his desktop computer and other evidence.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
The fact that you don’t know what it is, I think, is evidence enough that you probably don’t need it.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
Auditorium one remained the clearest evidence that the Grand Dame had once been a Yiddish theater, one of the largest along Second Avenue.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
