English Reference
noun · verb

evidence

n. · v.
US /ˈɛvədəns/ UK /ˈɛvɪdəns/ ev·i·dence UK spelling evidenced, evidences, evidencing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.facts or information that help you believe something is true or exists.

    n.the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. Uncountable in general usage.

    Simple

    There is no clear evidence that the new law has reduced crime in the city.

    In context

    Researchers have gathered substantial evidence suggesting that regular exercise significantly improves cognitive function in older adults.

    Usage

    This noun is uncountable and does not have a plural form.

    Pitfall
    The police found many evidences at the house. The police found a lot of evidence at the house.

    Evidence is uncountable; do not add an 's' or use 'many'. Use 'pieces of evidence' if you need to count them.

    disproofcontradiction
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    n.information or objects shown in a court of law to prove if someone is guilty.

    n.information, whether oral or documentary, which may be legally submitted to a court as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation.

    Simple

    The judge ruled that the bloody glove could be used as evidence during the trial.

    In context

    The prosecution struggled to build a convincing case after the key witness's testimony was dismissed as hearsay evidence.

    Usage

    Often used with verbs like 'admit', 'suppress', or 'present'.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    v.to show clearly that something exists or is true.

    v.to provide evidence for or to be a sign of something. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

    Simple

    The success of the project is evidenced by the high number of satisfied customers.

    In context

    The shift in public opinion is clearly evidenced by the recent polling data from across the country.

Usage evidence suggests · evidence shows · evidence to support


From Middle English evidence, from Old French [Term?], from Latin evidentia (“clearness, in Late Latin a proof”), from evidens (“clear, evident”); see evident.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin evidentia
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated