Definition

1. Noun:

   • (Law) Information presented in court: All the means by which the truth of an alleged fact is established or disproved during a judicial trial.
   • An indication or sign: Something that makes a fact or the truth of something evident or clear.
   • A basis for belief: Knowledge or information on which a belief or conclusion is based.

2. Verb:

   • To show or indicate: To be or give a clear sign of something; to make evident.
   • To provide proof or testimony: To give information or facts, especially in a legal context, to support a claim.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The prosecutor presented new evidence to the jury.
  • There is no scientific evidence to support that claim.
  • Her smile was evidence of her happiness.

• Verb:

  • The data evidences a significant change in climate patterns.
  • He was called to evidence against his former business partner in court.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in evidence": To be clearly present or noticeable.

  • A spirit of optimism was in evidence throughout the conference.

• "To turn King's/Queen's evidence" (Legal, UK): For an accused person to give evidence in court against their accomplices in a crime, often in return for a reduced sentence.

  • Facing a long sentence, one of the robbers decided to turn Queen's evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Evident (adj): Clear to the sight or understanding; obvious.

  • It was evident from his expression that he was lying.

• Evidently (adv): In a way that is clearly seen or understood; apparently.

  • He was evidently very pleased with the result.

Synonyms

• Noun: Proof, testimony, confirmation, indication, sign.
• Verb: Indicate, show, demonstrate, attest, testify.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• To bear evidence to: To show or be proof of something.

  • The ancient ruins bear evidence to a once-great civilization.

• To give evidence: To provide a formal statement or proof, especially in a legal setting.

  • The witness will give evidence tomorrow morning.

Related Idioms

• "Circumstantial evidence": Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, rather than direct proof.

  • The case was built largely on circumstantial evidence.

• "Hearsay evidence": Evidence based on what someone has said they heard from another person, rather than on direct personal knowledge, and which is therefore often not admissible in court.

  • The judge ruled the testimony was inadmissible as hearsay evidence.

Noun

1. (law) all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated at judicial trial is established or disproved
2. an indication that makes something evident
   • his trembling was evidence of his fear
3. your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
   • the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is very compelling

Verb

1. give evidence
   • he was telling on all his former colleague
2. provide evidence for
   • The blood test showed that he was the father
   • Her behavior testified to her incompetence
3. provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
   • His high fever attested to his illness
   • The buildings in Rome manifest a high level of architectural sophistication
   • This decision demonstrates his sense of fairness