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Added 9 October 2026

alibi

/ˈæl.ə.baɪ/ noun

Latin root: alibī Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about alibi at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

(law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question.
A defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
he kept finding excuses to stay

verb

Exonerate by means of an alibi.

Origin

From the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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