noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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US:/ˈæl.ə.baɪ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AE1 L AH0 B AY2
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: law
Examples
to set up an alibi
to prove an alibi
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: proscribed, sometimes
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To provide an alibi for.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To provide an excuse for.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
(law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: defense, defence, vindication
6
noun
Meaning 6
a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he kept finding excuses to stay
every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job
his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: excuse, exculpation, self-justification
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: defense, defence, vindication
Narrower terms: extenuation, mitigation
7
verb
Meaning 7
exonerate by means of an alibi
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: excuse, explain
History
Etymology
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.
Across languages
Translations
54 source translations are retained for this English entry.
