adjective
prima facie
PRY-muh FAY-shee
Prima facie (adjective) means Accepted as true or sufficient on first inspection, unless later evidence proves otherwise. Used especially of evidence or of a case strong enough to go to trial. Example: “The prosecution established a prima facie case of fraud.”
adjective
1
Accepted as true or sufficient on first inspection, unless later evidence proves otherwise. Used especially of evidence or of a case strong enough to go to trial.
"The prosecution established a prima facie case of fraud."
"There is prima facie evidence that the safety rules were ignored."
adverb
1
On the face of it; judging by what can be seen at first.
"Prima facie, the contract appears to have been breached."
How to use prima facie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTrue enough at first glance, unless something later proves otherwise.
When to use it
Formal and mainly legal. Often italicised in legal writing but increasingly set in roman.
Memory tip
Commonly said PRY-muh FAY-shee or PREE-muh FAH-kee-ay; both are heard in courtrooms.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
prima facie vs res ipsa loquitur
prima facie vs conclusive
Common pairings
prima facie case
prima facie evidence
establish a prima facie case
prima facie duty
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The prosecution established a _____ case of fraud.
Etymology
Latin prima facie, literally "at first face", meaning at first appearance.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for prima facie
See all rhymes for prima facie →Frequently asked questions
What is a prima facie case?
It is a case in which the evidence presented is enough, if left unchallenged, to prove the claim. Establishing one does not win the case; it shifts the burden to the other side to rebut it.
What is the difference between prima facie evidence and conclusive evidence?
Prima facie evidence is enough to support a finding unless it is contradicted. Conclusive evidence settles the point and cannot be rebutted at all.
What is the meaning of prima facie?
"prima facie" (adjective) means accepted as true or sufficient on first inspection, unless later evidence proves otherwise. Used especially of evidence or of a case strong enough to go to trial.
What is another word for prima facie?
Other words for "prima facie" include apparent, on the face of it, presumptive, at first sight, ostensibly, seemingly.
