evidentiary

IPA/ˌev.ɪˈden.ʃər.i/
KK[ˌɛvɪdˈɛnʃiɛri]IPA/ˌev.ɪˈden.ʃi.er.i/

evidentiary — adjective

  • evidentiarypositive
  • more evidentiarycomparative
  • most evidentiarysuperlative

1. connected with the facts, documents, or objects that are used to show that somet

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

connected with the facts, documents, or objects that are used to show that something is true in a court or other official process.

Example

The judge rejected the video recording as having no evidentiary value in this case.

collocation: evidentiary value

Amara presented an evidentiary document that proved her company owned the trademark.

modifies a document type

Common collocations
  • evidentiary value
  • evidentiary hearing
  • evidentiary burden
  • evidentiary basis
  • evidentiary material
  • evidentiary rules
  • evidentiary standard
Synonyms
  • probative

    more technical legal term focused on proving a fact; narrower than 'evidentiary'

  • documentary

    specifically refers to written or recorded evidence; a subset of evidentiary material

  • corroborating

    focuses on supporting existing evidence rather than serving as evidence itself

Usage Note

Almost exclusively used in legal or formal investigative contexts. Not used in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The detective found evidentiary proof at the scene.
The detective found evidentiary material at the scene.
'Proof' already implies evidence is established; 'evidentiary' describes things that serve as evidence, not the conclusion.

Etymology

First known use

1780

1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1