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noun Uncommon

affidavit

a-fih-DAY-viht

Affidavit (noun) means a written statement made under oath, used as evidence in legal matters. Example: “She signed an affidavit confirming she witnessed the accident.”

noun
1
A written statement made under oath, used as evidence in legal matters.
"She signed an affidavit confirming she witnessed the accident."
"The lawyer submitted several affidavits to support the case."

How to Use Affidavit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA formal, signed, sworn statement used as legal proof.

Common mistake

Not the same word family as "affirm," even though they look similar.

Common pairings
sign an affidavit submit an affidavit

Word Forms

affidavited past tense, affidavits plural, affidavits singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She signed an _____ confirming she witnessed the accident.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin affidavit, literally "he/she has sworn" — related to fidelity and faith, though not to the word "affirm," which comes from a different Latin root.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “affidavit” mean?

The word “affidavit” means a written statement made under oath, used as evidence in legal matters. In plain terms, a formal, signed, sworn statement used as legal proof.

How do you pronounce “affidavit”?

“Affidavit” is pronounced a-fih-DAY-viht (/ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “affidavit” in a sentence?

Here is “affidavit” used in a sentence: “She signed an affidavit confirming she witnessed the accident.”

What part of speech is “affidavit”?

“Affidavit” is a noun.

Where does the word “affidavit” come from?

The word “affidavit” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin affidavit, literally "he/she has sworn" — related to fidelity and faith, though not to the word "affirm," which comes from a different Latin root.

Is “affidavit” a common word?

“Affidavit” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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