ENGLISH
REFERENCE

forensic

adj.
US //ˌfɔˈɹɛnsɪk// UK //fəɹˈɛnsɪk// foren·sic
  1. 1 crime investigation (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    relating to the use of science to solve crimes and find evidence for a court.

    relating to the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crime.

    Example

    The police are waiting for the forensic report to identify the fingerprints.

    Example

    Forensic evidence gathered at the scene proved instrumental in securing a conviction despite the lack of eyewitness testimony.

    Usage

    Usually precedes the noun it modifies, such as 'forensic evidence' or 'forensic science'.
  2. 2 extremely detailed (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    very careful and detailed, like a scientific investigation.

    characterised by a very high level of detail and meticulousness; often used by analogy with legal investigations.

    Example

    The accountant did a forensic examination of the company's spending.

    Example

    The journalist's forensic analysis of the leaked documents revealed a pattern of corruption that had spanned several decades.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is a common figurative extension in business and journalism; it implies a level of scrutiny that leaves no detail unchecked.
  3. 3 legal or argumentative (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Archaic Law

    relating to courts of law or formal debate.

    relating to, or suitable for, courts of law or public debate.

    Example

    The lawyer was famous for his forensic skills in the courtroom.

    Example

    The professor's forensic approach to the historical debate relied on a strict interpretation of the original statutes.

    Usage

    In modern English, this sense is largely superseded by 'legal' or 'rhetorical' except in specific academic contexts.
Origin

From Latin forēnsis (“of the forum, public”) + -ic, from forum (“forum, marketplace”).

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

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026