/ˈæl.ə.baɪ/
OriginFrom the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century.
- The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed.
“to set up an alibi”
“to prove an alibi”
“The judge said, “Son, what is your alibi? If you were somewhere else, then you won’t have to die.””
- proscribed, sometimesAn excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.
“That day in September, I'm sure you can remember / That's when all the stuff hit the fan (the stuff hit the fan) / You told me a lie, and you didn't have an alibi / But baby, yet I still cared”
- transitiveTo provide an alibi for.
- transitiveTo provide an excuse for.
Formsalibis(plural) · alibis(present, singular, third-person) · alibies(present, singular, third-person) · alibiing(participle, present) · alibied(participle, past) · alibied(past)