WordLens

alibi

1 of 2noun
/ˈæ.lə.ˌbaɪ/
Forms:alibis
1

proof that indicates a person was somewhere other than the place where a crime took place and therefore could not have committed it

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  • The suspect's alibi placed him at a restaurant with friends at the time of the crime.
  • The defense attorney presented several witnesses to support the defendant's alibi.
  • The police verified the suspect's alibi through surveillance footage from a nearby gas station.
  • Without a credible alibi, the prosecution struggled to prove the suspect's involvement in the robbery.
  • Her alibi of attending a family gathering was corroborated by multiple family members.
2

an explanation or excuse offered to justify or defend an offensive action, failure, or mistake

  • He used traffic as an alibi for being late.
  • Forgetfulness was her alibi for missing the appointment.
  • The student offered an alibi for not completing the homework.
  • Laziness is no alibi for poor performance.
  • He gave a weak alibi to explain his rudeness.