Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

alibi ike

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.93 in modern English

Syllables: al-i-bi ike
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

One who is always ready to provide excuses for shortcomings, errors, or other difficulties.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Many times I have heard the "alibi Ike's" and apologists brush off complaints and ignore behaviors because the deviator in question is too critical, too important, too tenured, or too something!"
"Now, I'm no Alibi Ike, Teddy, but I think that was my downfall."
"There's no foulup so lame that keepers of the flame like Andrew Bacevich, the modern Alibi Ike, can't excuse, spin and downplay."

Etymology

From the principal character in "Alibi Ike" (1915), a short story by Ring Lardner Sr., and a subsequent film (1935) of the same name.

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

Alibi Ikes (plural)

Phrases

Dapper Dan doubting Thomas Gentleman Jim gloomy Gus good-time Charlie lazy Lawrence nervous Nellie nervous Purvis

Frequently Paired Words

Dapper Dan doubting Thomas Gentleman Jim gloomy Gus good-time Charlie lazy Lawrence nervous Nellie nervous Purvis

Synonyms

apologist

Questions

What does alibi ike mean?: One who is always ready to provide excuses for shortcomings, errors, or other difficulties.
Where does alibi ike come from?: From the principal character in "Alibi Ike" (1915), a short story by Ring Lardner Sr., and a subsequent film (1935) of the same name.

How to pronounce alibi ike

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “alibi ike”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “alibi ike”.
Repeat and practice — Say “alibi ike” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.