French word

évidence

Pronunciation

IPA/evidɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounthe obvious

Example

Il est difficile de nier l'évidence.

It is difficult to deny the obvious.

Illustration for évidence (the obvious)

More examples

Cette étude met en évidence un risque pour la santé.

This study highlights a health risk.

Core concept

A fact is exposed to view, making its truth seem immediately apparent.

Common phrases

  • nier l'évidence

    deny the obvious

  • mettre en évidence

    highlight

  • à l'évidence

    obviously

Similar words

preuve: Concrete information that shows something is true.
certitude: A state of complete confidence that something is true.
indice: A small clue or sign pointing toward a fact or solution.
clarté: The quality of being clear and easy to understand.

Definition in French

Caractère d'une proposition qui paraît manifeste et qui n'appelle pas de doute.

Word origin

French évidence developed from Latin evidentia through the historical vocabulary of French, with a sense based on what is plainly visible.

Usage tips

  • French évidence often means obviousness rather than proof, so preuve is usually the better word for evidence offered to establish a claim.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word