Evidence: meaning, definitions and examples

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evidence

[ˈɛvɪdəns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

Synonyms

confirmation, proof, testimony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
evidence	Used when referring to information or objects that help in proving something. It is commonly used in legal contexts but can be applied in everyday situations when you need to show that something is true. The police gathered evidence from the crime scene. We need more evidence to support this theory.
proof	Often used in situations where definitive or conclusive verification is needed. Commonly used in both legal and scientific contexts, as well as everyday life when something needs to be conclusively shown. Do you have any proof of your claim? Mathematical proof is essential in solving the problem.
confirmation	Applied when something verifies or affirms a previous statement, belief, or hypothesis. Often used in everyday situations or formal confirmations. I received confirmation of my appointment by email. The results provided confirmation of his initial findings.
testimony	Primarily used in legal contexts to refer to formal statements given by witnesses under oath. It can also be used more loosely to describe personal stories that support a claim. The witness gave her testimony in court. His testimony was crucial to the case.

Examples of usage

There is no evidence to support the theory.
The evidence presented in court was overwhelming.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

scientific

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.

Synonyms

data, findings, results.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
evidence	Use this word when referring to information that supports a belief or conclusion, especially in a legal, scientific, or academic context. The detective presented new evidence that could solve the case The scientist's evidence strongly supports the theory
data	This word is used when talking about raw facts or figures that can be analyzed. It is often used in scientific research, business, and technology. We need more data to make an informed decision The data collected from the survey will help us understand customer preferences
findings	This is used to describe the results or conclusions that come from an investigation or research. It is frequently used in reports, academic papers, and scientific studies. The findings from the study were published in a renowned journal Our findings suggest that more research is needed
results	This term is used to describe the outcome of an experiment, test, or a process. It is frequently used in scientific, academic, and practical contexts. The results of the experiment were surprising She was pleased with the results of her hard work

Examples of usage

The scientist found evidence of a new species.
The evidence points towards a different conclusion.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

general

To show or indicate through proof or example.

Synonyms

demonstrate, prove, show.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
evidence	Use 'evidence' when talking about information or facts that help show that something is true or false. It is often used in legal, scientific, or investigative contexts. The police have found new evidence in the case. We need more evidence to support our theory.
demonstrate	Use 'demonstrate' when showing how something works, explaining something clearly, or providing proof through actions or examples. It is commonly used in educational, professional, or experimental settings. He demonstrated how to use the new software. The experiment demonstrated the effect of gravity.
prove	Use 'prove' when providing conclusive evidence to establish the truth or validity of something. It often implies a final or definitive action in contexts such as mathematics, science, or law. We need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty. The scientist aimed to prove his hypothesis through rigorous testing.
show	Use 'show' when pointing out, indicating, or displaying something to someone. It is a more general word that can be used in various everyday contexts. Can you show me how to get to the station? The data shows a significant increase in sales.

Examples of usage

She was able to evidence her point with clear examples.
The research data evidences a strong correlation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'evidentia', meaning 'obviousness' or 'clearness'.
In Medieval Latin, it evolved to mean 'manifest' or 'clear', indicating something that cannot be disputed.

Science

In scientific research, evidence is crucial for forming hypotheses and proving theories.
Empirical evidence, which comes from observation or experiments, is considered the gold standard in science.

Law

In court, evidence is necessary to support claims and establish the truth of a case.
There are different types of evidence, including witness testimonies, documents, and physical items.

Psychology

Cognitive biases can affect how people interpret evidence, often leading to faulty conclusions.
Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that supports existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.

Pop Culture

Many detective stories and crime shows revolve around finding evidence to solve a mystery.
Popular TV series like 'CSI' often dramatize the collection and analysis of evidence to depict criminal investigations.

Translations

Translations of the word "evidence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 evidência

🇮🇳 सबूत

🇩🇪 Beweis

🇮🇩 bukti

🇺🇦 доказ

🇵🇱 dowód

🇯🇵 証拠 (しょうこ)

🇫🇷 preuve

🇪🇸 evidencia

🇹🇷 kanıt

🇰🇷 증거

🇸🇦 دليل

🇨🇿 důkaz

🇸🇰 dôkaz

🇨🇳 证据 (zhèngjù)

🇸🇮 dokaz

🇮🇸 sönnun

🇰🇿 дәлел

🇬🇪 მტკიცებულება

🇦🇿 sübut

🇲🇽 evidencia

Word Frequency Rank

With position #247, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

...
244 local
245 cost
246 making
247 evidence
248 around
249 want
250 various
...