Word
evidentiary
Phoneticsev·i·den·tiary
US/ˌɛvɪˈdɛnʃiɛɹi/
UK/ˌɛvɪdˈɛnʃjəɹi/
Definition
adj. related to proof or evidence used in court. You use it to talk about rules or facts that help decide what is true in a legal case.
adj. Pertaining to evidence presented to establish facts in legal proceedings. Often modifies procedural nouns such as 'hearing', 'standard', or 'burden' to indicate connection to admissibility or weight of proof.
Examples
“The lawyer checks the evidentiary rules before the trial.”
“The judge holds an evidentiary hearing to decide which documents the jury can see.”
“The appellate court overturned the verdict after finding that the trial judge had admitted evidentiary material without establishing its chain of custody.”
Examples
simple
“The lawyer checks the evidentiary rules before the trial.”
contextual
“The judge holds an evidentiary hearing to decide which documents the jury can see.”
complex
“The appellate court overturned the verdict after finding that the trial judge had admitted evidentiary material without establishing its chain of custody.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “evidentiary” in context.
Verb
01. admit evidentiary
“The court refused to admit evidentiary material obtained without consent.”
verb + adj
02. exclude evidentiary
“The judge decided to exclude evidentiary photos that were highly prejudicial.”
verb + adj
Noun
03. evidentiary basis
“There was no evidentiary basis for the allegation against him.”
adj + noun
04. evidentiary burden
“The plaintiff carries the evidentiary burden in civil claims.”
adj + noun
05. evidentiary hearing
“The court scheduled an evidentiary hearing to review the new testimony.”
adj + noun
06. evidentiary ruling
“The defence appealed against the judge's evidentiary ruling.”
adj + noun
07. evidentiary standard
“The prosecution failed to meet the evidentiary standard for conviction.”
adj + noun
08. evidentiary value
“The email has little evidentiary value without proper authentication.”
adj + noun
09. for evidentiary purposes
“The documents were preserved for evidentiary purposes only.”
10. hold an evidentiary hearing
“The tribunal will hold an evidentiary hearing next month.”
11. lack evidentiary support
“The claim lacked evidentiary support and was dismissed.”
12. meet the evidentiary burden
“Claimants must meet the evidentiary burden to succeed at trial.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, especially in legal collocations like 'evidentiary hearing'.
Real-World Examples
“During the search, cops said officers seized several items of evidentiary value.” “That work feeds federal and state threat assessments, informs social media platforms on how to identify extremist users and content, shapes prevention programs and supplies the evidentiary basis for prosecutions and congressional oversight.” Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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