evidently
EH-vih-duhnt-lee
Evidently (adverb) means Clearly or obviously, based on what can be observed. Example: “Evidently, someone had been in the house while we were away.”
adverb
1
Clearly or obviously, based on what can be observed.
"Evidently, someone had been in the house while we were away."
"She was evidently upset about the news."
"The road was evidently closed, because every car ahead was turning back."
2
Apparently, though not with total certainty.
"Evidently he had already left by the time we arrived."
"Evidently the meeting was cancelled, though nobody thought to tell us."
"He evidently forgot his keys, since the door stayed locked all morning."
How to use evidently
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to say something seems clearly true, based on what you can see or have heard.
Common mistake
Can mean either "obviously, for certain" or "apparently, as far as I can tell" — the softer, more common everyday use leans toward the second, uncertain sense.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more evidently
- Superlative
- most evidently
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, someone had been in the house while we were away.
Etymology
From evident + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for evidently
gently
recently
fluently
urgently
silently
intently
patently
decently
currently
fervently
patiently
presently
See all rhymes for evidently →
Frequently asked questions
What does “evidently” mean?
The word “evidently” means clearly or obviously, based on what can be observed. In plain terms, used to say something seems clearly true, based on what you can see or have heard.
How do you pronounce “evidently”?
“Evidently” is pronounced EH-vih-duhnt-lee (/ˈɛvɪdəntli/ in IPA).
How do you use “evidently” in a sentence?
Here is “evidently” used in a sentence: “Evidently, someone had been in the house while we were away.”
What is another word for “evidently”?
Words with a similar meaning to “evidently” include plainly, conspicuously, markedly and vividly.
What part of speech is “evidently”?
“Evidently” is an adverb.
Is “evidently” a common word?
“Evidently” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “evidently” have?
“Evidently” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: clearly or obviously, based on what can be observed.
What is the difference between evidently and obviously?
Evidently and obviously both signal that something is clear from the available evidence, but evidently often carries a slightly more formal or reasoned tone, suggesting a conclusion drawn from observation. Obviously tends to sound more direct and is common in everyday speech, while evidently is more typical in writing or careful argument.
What is the difference between evidently and apparently?
Evidently can mean either clearly true based on observation or, in its second sense, apparently true but not fully certain. Apparently leans more strongly toward the idea that something seems to be the case without confirmation, so the two can overlap but apparently usually signals more doubt.
How is evidently used at the start of a sentence?
Evidently is commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence as a sentence adverb to introduce a conclusion based on observable evidence, for example, Evidently, the meeting had been cancelled. Used this way, it signals to the reader that what follows is an inference rather than a directly witnessed fact.
