evidence

/ˈɛvɪdəns/

Say it: EV-i-dense

1. noun Facts, signs, or objects that make you believe that something is true or that it exists.
The detective gathered evidence from the crime scene to identify the suspect.
2. noun An outward sign or indication of something.
A high temperature is often evidence of an infection.
3. verb To show, indicate, or serve as proof of something.
His stellar performance on the exam evidenced a deep understanding of the material.

📖 Seen in the wild

The detective collected all the available evidence to solve the case.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ evidence in a sentence

The prosecution presented compelling evidence of the defendant's guilt.
There is growing scientific evidence that climate change is accelerating.
Her diary was used as evidence in the court case.
I need to see some evidence of your progress before I can sign off on the next phase.
Despite his claims, there was no evidence he had ever been to Paris.
The empty shelves were evidence of a panic buying spree.
The fossil record evidences a long history of evolutionary change.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

proof indication testimony confirmation substantiation grounds data clue

proof · stronger and more conclusive than evidence.

indication · weaker; suggests a sign or hint rather than solid grounds.

testimony · specifically refers to a formal statement, often in court.

confirmation · emphasizes that the evidence verifies something already suspected.

Opposites: conjecture, supposition, speculation, hearsay

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'evidence' comes to us from the Latin 'evidentia', meaning 'clearness' or 'proof'. It is built from the prefix 'e-' (out) and 'videre' (to see), literally meaning 'to see out'. This origin beautifully captures the modern idea of evidence as something that brings the truth out into the open for all to see.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

gather evidencecompelling evidencelack of evidenceevidence suggestsin evidencepresent evidence

A key point about 'evidence' is that it is a mass noun, like 'water' or 'information'. This means it does not typically have a plural form. Instead of saying 'evidences', you should refer to 'pieces of evidence' or 'a body of evidence'. Also, be careful not to confuse it with 'proof'. Evidence supports a conclusion, but proof establishes it definitively.

Word family: evident, evidently, evidential

💬 Quick answers

What is the difference between evidence and proof?

Evidence is information that supports a claim, while proof is information that establishes a claim as true beyond doubt. You can have a lot of evidence for something without having definitive proof.

Is 'evidences' a word?

While technically a word, 'evidences' is very rare and sounds unnatural in modern English. Evidence is a mass noun, so it's better to say 'pieces of evidence' or 'a body of evidence'.

Can evidence be a verb?

Yes, to 'evidence' something means to show or indicate it. This usage is more formal and less common than using the noun form.

What does 'in evidence' mean?

The phrase 'in evidence' means clearly visible or present. For example, 'His relief was clearly in evidence after the verdict was read.'

1 word nerd collected it V

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