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.
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
Example Sentences
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. She made up an alibi for why she missed the meeting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Unfortunately, my overall lifestyle serves as a poor alibi for this level of athletic devotion. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2020 Although Russ had an airtight alibi and witnesses who backed up his story, he was still convicted of her murder in 2013. Corin Cesaric, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 This — and his having no alibi — raised suspicions, and Zdorov was arrested.New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 After all, Taylor, then 17, had what seemed the best imaginable alibi: When Jeffrey Lassiter and Sharon Haugabook were shot to death on Nov. 16, 1992, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Taylor was behind bars in a nearby police lockup. Steve Mills, ProPublica, 30 May 2022 His defense team in the second trial had again raised the golf range alibi, but Colucci was not among the witnesses who testified, records show. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2022 But Shelton had an alibi for the night of the shooting. Emma Steele, CBS News, 6 May 2022 After Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting found issues with the alibi of a previous suspect, lawyers representing Dennis Perry, the man convicted of the double murder, decided to conduct a DNA test. Joshua Sharpe, ajc, 21 Jan. 2022 Meanwhile, Aileen lies to the police about Brian’s whereabouts on the night in question, her natural maternal protective instinct being to provide an alibi. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2022
Verb
When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion). David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion). David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018 In 1992, Bill Clinton felt compelled to alibi his youthful encounter with marijuana. Mark Z. Barabak, latimes.com, 24 Oct. 2017 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
borrowed from Latin alibī "in another place, elsewhere," from alius "other" + -bī, locative suffix (as also in ibi, ibī "in that place, there," ubi, ubī "where?"), going back to Indo-European *-dhe (also in Oscan puf "where?," Umbrian pufe, Old Church Slavic kŭde, Sanskrit kúha, all going back to *kwu-dhe) + a particle *-i — more at else
ADJECTIVE | VERB + ALIBI | PREPOSITIONADJECTIVE➤cast-iron, good, ironclad, perfect, solid不在犯罪現場的鐵證;充分證據;無瑕的證據;確鑿的證據◇She was in the office all of Wednesday and so has a solid alibi.她星期三一整天都在辦公室,所以有不在犯罪現場的確鑿證據。➤false不在犯罪現場的偽證VERB + ALIBI➤have有不在犯罪現場的證據▸➤establish, provide, supply證實不在犯罪現場;提供不在犯罪現場的證據◇They relied on witnesses to establish alibis for the accused.他們依靠目擊者來證明被告不在犯罪現場。➤concoct, create, invent揑造不在犯罪現場的證據;編造不在犯罪現場的證據◇It was alleged that the accused had created an alibi to save himself.據稱被告編造了不在犯罪現場的證據為自己開釋。PREPOSITION➤alibi for⋯時不在犯罪現場的證據◇The accused was not able to provide an alibi for the evening.被告不能提供當晚不在犯罪現場的證據。