/
ˈalɪbʌɪ/
n.
(pl. alibis)
a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an alleged act took place.
▸informal an excuse.
v.
(alibis, alibiing, alibied)
informal provide an alibi for.
Usage
The word alibi means ‘an assertion by a person that they were elsewhere’. In the 20th century a new sense arose with the meaning ‘an excuse’: this is still regarded as incorrect by some traditionalists.
Etymology
C17: from L., ‘elsewhere’.
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