alibi
B2General use; formal in legal contexts, informal as verb/excuse.
Definition
Meaning
A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a crime, was committed.
An excuse or pretext, especially one offered to avoid blame or responsibility for something; in informal use, also a verb meaning to provide an alibi for someone or to make an excuse.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The legal meaning is primary and specific; the extended meaning of 'excuse' is common but considered informal. Using it as a verb is also informal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage as a verb ('to alibi someone') is more established and slightly less informal in American English than in British English.
Connotations
The informal 'excuse' meaning is slightly more colloquial in UK English.
Frequency
Core legal term is equally frequent. Extended informal meanings are somewhat more frequent in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have an alibi (for sth)provide sb with an alibialibi for sthalibi sb (verb, informal)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a cast-iron alibi”
- “a perfect alibi”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The late delivery gave him the perfect alibi for missing the meeting.'
Academic
Used in legal, criminology, and forensic psychology contexts with its precise meaning.
Everyday
Commonly used for the 'excuse' meaning: 'Sorry I'm late—traffic is my usual alibi.'
Technical
Strict legal term: a formal defence asserting the accused was elsewhere at the time of the crime.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He tried to alibi his way out of the situation, but no one believed him.
- She was busy alibiing for her friend who had skipped class.
American English
- His friend agreed to alibi him for the night of the party.
- Don't try to alibi your way out of this; we know you were responsible.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as a standalone adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as a standalone adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) An 'alibi witness' is the standard term.
- The alibi evidence was dismissed by the court.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) Same as British. Typically used in noun compounds like 'alibi defense'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police asked him where he was. He had a good alibi.
- My alibi is that I was at school.
- She couldn't have stolen the money because she has a solid alibi—she was at the cinema.
- His story provided the perfect alibi for his absence.
- The suspect's alibi was verified by three independent witnesses, so he was released.
- He's always looking for an alibi to avoid doing his household chores.
- The prosecution's case collapsed when the defence produced a cast-iron alibi supported by digital timestamp evidence.
- Politicians often use complex economic data as an alibi for their policy failures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A Lie? By...?' (A-LI-BI) - It's about proving you were elsewhere, sometimes with a story.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN EXCUSE IS A LEGAL DEFENCE (extended meaning borrows structure from legal concept).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'алиби' as a casual excuse; in Russian, it can be used more lightly. In English, the informal 'excuse' usage is recognised but still carries a stronger connotation of a fabricated story.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'alibi' to mean any evidence (it specifically concerns location/time).
- Overusing the verb form in formal writing.
- Confusing with 'excuse' in very formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'alibi' as a verb most appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In informal usage, yes, it can mean a general excuse. However, its primary and formal meaning is specifically a claim/evidence of being elsewhere during a crime.
Yes, but it is considered informal. In formal writing, prefer 'He provided an alibi for his friend' or 'He corroborated his friend's alibi'.
An alibi is a type of excuse that specifically involves proving one's physical location elsewhere. An 'excuse' is any reason given to justify a fault or avoid duty.
Yes, the standard plural is 'alibis'.
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