alibi
An alibi is a claim or piece of evidence that you were somewhere else when a crime happened.
Explanation at your level:
An alibi is a reason you give when you are not at a place. If you are not at school, you say where you were. That is your alibi.
When someone thinks you did something wrong, you use an alibi to show you were in a different place. It helps you stay out of trouble.
An alibi is a legal term. It means you have proof that you were elsewhere when a crime happened. People also use it informally to explain why they missed an event.
The term alibi is frequently used in crime fiction and law. It serves as a defensive claim. You might say, 'His alibi was weak,' meaning the evidence for his location was not convincing.
In advanced English, alibi can function as a metaphorical tool. Someone might use an 'alibi' to justify a personal failing or a lack of professional progress, acting as a shield against criticism.
Etymologically, alibi represents the Latin 'elsewhere.' In literary contexts, it can denote a sense of displacement or an existential excuse. It remains a cornerstone of legal discourse, requiring rigorous verification to be considered valid.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Noun
- Means elsewhere
- Legal/Casual
- Rhymes with goodbye
When you hear the word alibi, you probably think of detective shows! It is a very specific term used to describe a person's whereabouts during a crime. If you are accused of something, your alibi is your best friend because it proves you were somewhere else.
Think of it as a ticket to innocence. Whether it is a movie ticket, a receipt, or a friend who saw you at the park, these things help build your defense. It is not just for criminals, though; we often use it in daily life when we need an excuse for missing a meeting or being late.
The word alibi has a fascinating history that takes us straight back to Latin. In Latin, the word alibi literally translates to 'elsewhere.' It is a combination of alius (other) and ibi (there).
It entered the English language in the early 18th century specifically as a legal term. It is one of the few words that has kept its original Latin meaning almost perfectly intact for hundreds of years. While it started in dusty law books, it eventually migrated into common speech, especially after the rise of mystery novels and crime dramas in the 20th century.
You will most often hear alibi used with the verbs provide, establish, or confirm. For example, 'The suspect could not provide an alibi.' This is standard, neutral English.
In casual conversation, you might hear someone say, 'I need an alibi for tonight,' which usually implies they are trying to get out of a boring social event. Just remember that in a legal context, it is a very serious word, while in social settings, it is used more playfully.
1. Rock-solid alibi: A perfect, undeniable excuse. 2. To cook up an alibi: To invent a fake story. 3. To break an alibi: To prove someone's excuse is a lie. 4. Without an alibi: Being left vulnerable to accusations. 5. A convenient alibi: An excuse that happens to be very helpful at the right time.
The word alibi is a noun. Its plural form is alibis. Pronunciation is /ˈælɪbaɪ/ in both British and American English. The stress is on the first syllable.
It is almost always used as a countable noun. You have 'an' alibi or 'two' alibis. It rhymes with words like goodbye, supply, and apply, which makes it quite easy to remember!
Fun Fact
It is one of the few Latin words that entered English without changing its form.
Pronunciation Guide
Three syllables, stress on the first.
Similar to UK, clear 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing the 'i' at the end as 'ee'
- Omitting the 'l'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
He has an alibi.
Examples by Level
I have an alibi.
I have a proof.
Use 'an' before vowels.
The police asked for his alibi.
She had a good alibi.
Do you have an alibi?
His alibi was true.
He needs an alibi.
They checked her alibi.
My alibi is my friend.
The alibi was weak.
The suspect provided a solid alibi.
I cannot offer an alibi for my absence.
The detective broke his alibi.
She was searching for an alibi.
His alibi was confirmed by CCTV.
They had no alibi for the night.
He tried to cook up an alibi.
Is your alibi reliable?
The witness destroyed the defendant's alibi.
He relied on his alibi to avoid prison.
A fake alibi can lead to more trouble.
The investigation focused on his missing alibi.
She needed a convincing alibi for her boss.
The alibi was corroborated by two people.
Without a credible alibi, he was arrested.
They scrutinized every detail of his alibi.
The alibi served as a convenient pretext for his evasion.
His alibi was so elaborate it seemed rehearsed.
The prosecution systematically dismantled the suspect's alibi.
She used her busy schedule as an alibi for avoiding the party.
The inconsistency in his alibi raised immediate red flags.
They required an ironclad alibi to secure his release.
His alibi was the only thing standing between him and a conviction.
The judge dismissed the alibi as entirely fabricated.
The defendant's alibi was a masterclass in obfuscation.
He constructed an intricate alibi that spanned several cities.
The alibi provided a tenuous defense against the overwhelming evidence.
Her alibi was corroborated by the digital footprint of her phone.
The defense attorney insisted on verifying the alibi's authenticity.
An alibi is only as good as the evidence supporting it.
The suspect's alibi crumbled under intense cross-examination.
He sought an alibi in the form of a signed affidavit.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"cook up an alibi"
to invent a story
He tried to cook up an alibi, but the police didn't believe him.
casualEasily Confused
both mean reasons
alibi is for location
I have an excuse for being late vs I have an alibi for the crime.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + has + an + alibi
He has an alibi.
Word Family
Nouns
Related
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Alibi is primarily a noun, not a verb.
Tips
Latin Root
Remember it means 'elsewhere' in Latin.
Legal vs Casual
Use it carefully in court.
Pop Culture
Watch crime shows to hear it used.
Plural
It is alibis.
Rhyme
Rhymes with goodbye.
Don't verb it
Don't say 'I alibied'.
Latin Origin
It is pure Latin.
Context
Use it in mystery stories.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Ali (a person) was by (near) the store, so he has an alibi.
Visual Association
A detective looking at a clock.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a short mystery story using the word.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: elsewhere
Cultural Context
None
Commonly used in crime fiction and legal dramas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal
- provide an alibi
- confirm an alibi
- break an alibi
Conversation Starters
"Do you like mystery novels?"
"Have you ever needed an alibi?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you needed an excuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is a noun.
Test Yourself
I have an ___.
Alibi is the correct term for an excuse.
What is an alibi?
It is a defense or excuse.
An alibi is always true.
An alibi can be fake.
Word
Meaning
Solid alibi is a common collocation.
Subject-verb-object order.
Score: /5
Summary
An alibi is your proof of being elsewhere.
- Noun
- Means elsewhere
- Legal/Casual
- Rhymes with goodbye
Latin Root
Remember it means 'elsewhere' in Latin.
Legal vs Casual
Use it carefully in court.
Pop Culture
Watch crime shows to hear it used.
Plural
It is alibis.
Example
He asked his sister to alibi him if his parents asked where he had been all night.
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