alibi

noun

al·i·bi | \ ˈa-lə-ˌbī

Definition of alibi

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission His alibi was that he was at the movies at the time of the crime. also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time

2 : an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence) made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting

3 : someone or something that provides a person with an alibi His wife was his alibi.

alibi

verb

alibied; alibiing

Definition of alibi (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to exonerate (someone) by an alibi : to furnish an excuse for … took statements from anyone not alibied.— Joseph Wambaugh

intransitive verb

: to offer an excuse

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about alibi

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Choose the Right Synonym for alibi

Noun

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. her usual plea that she was nearsighted pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. used any pretext to get out of work alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Did You Know?

In Latin, alibi was an adverb that meant “elsewhere.” When the word was first adopted into English in the 18th century, it was still limited to its adverbial use. A person on trial might be said to prove himself alibi when the crime was committed. By the end of that century, however, alibi had acquired the status of a noun and was used in legal contexts for “the plea of having been elsewhere at the time of the crime.” The meaning of the word was then extended to apply to the fact or state of having been elsewhere when a crime was committed.

Examples of alibi in a Sentence

Noun

Nobody could confirm his alibi that he was at the movies. Her doctor is her alibi: she was in surgery at the time of the murder.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

At one point, her brother’s secret lover, Richard, uses her to create an alibi. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "Five Best: Meghan Cox Gurdon on Bewilderment," 22 Mar. 2019 Nor did Blinka know then that Stinson's alibi in the Cychozs murder checked out. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Prosecutor felt suspect was innocent, but dentists convinced him bite marks proved otherwise. They were wrong.," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alibi.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for alibi

alibi

noun

English Language Learners Definition of alibi

: a claim that you cannot be guilty of a crime because you were somewhere else when the crime was committed also : evidence which shows that such a claim is true

: an excuse for not being somewhere or doing something

See the full definition for alibi in the English Language Learners Dictionary

alibi

noun

al·i·bi | \ ˈa-lə-ˌbī

plural alibis

Kids Definition of alibi

1 : the explanation given by a person accused of a crime that he or she was somewhere else when the crime was committed

2 : an excuse intended to avoid blame She made up an alibi for why she was late.

alibi

Definition of alibi

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Examples of alibi in a Sentence

First Known Use of alibi

History and Etymology for alibi

English Language Learners Definition of alibi

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alibi

Definition of alibi

Synonyms for alibi

Choose the Right Synonym for alibi

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Examples of alibi in a Sentence

First Known Use of alibi

History and Etymology for alibi

English Language Learners Definition of alibi

Kids Definition of alibi

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