ALIBI

alibi

(noun) (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question

excuse, alibi, exculpation, self-justification

(noun) a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.; “he kept finding excuses to stay”; “every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job”; “his transparent self-justification was unacceptable”

alibi

(verb) exonerate by means of an alibi

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

alibi (plural alibis)

(legal) The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed

An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.

Usage notes

• A very good alibi might be described e.g. as perfect, watertight, airtight, solid or iron-clad.

Verb

alibi (third-person singular simple present alibies or alibis, present participle alibiing, simple past and past participle alibied)

To provide an alibi for.

To provide an excuse for.

Anagrams

• baili

Source: Wiktionary


Al"i*bi, n. Etym: [L., elsewhere, at another place. See Alias.] (Law)

Definition: The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove that he was in another place when the alleged act was committed; as, to set up an alibi; to prove an alibi.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”


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