1 : the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission His alibi was that he was at the movies at the time of the crime. also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time.

What does the word alibi literally mean?

alibi Add to list Share. ... The noun alibi is the same word as its Latin root, alibi, which means "excuse." When you provide an alibi, you are giving proof — a certified excuse — that you could not have committed a crime.

Does alibi mean excuse?

an excuse, especially to avoid blame. a person used as one's excuse: My sick grandmother was my alibi for missing school. ... to provide an alibi for (someone): He alibied his friend out of a fix.