candidate

[ noun kan-di-deyt, -dit; verb kan-di-deyt ]
See synonyms for: candidatecandidatescandidacy on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a person who seeks an office, honor, etc.: a candidate for governor.

  2. a person who is selected by others as a contestant for an office, honor, etc.

  1. a person who is deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate: Such a reckless spender is a candidate for the poorhouse.

  2. a student studying for a degree: Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.

verb (used without object),can·di·dat·ed, can·di·dat·ing.
  1. to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church; preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.

Origin of candidate

1
First recorded in 1605–15, candidate is from the Latin word candidātus “clothed in white” (adective), “candidate for office” (noun, in reference to the white togas worn by those seeking office); see candid, -ate1

Other words from candidate

  • can·di·da·cy [kan-di-duh-see], /ˈkæn dɪ də si/, noun
  • pre·can·di·da·ture, noun

Words Nearby candidate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use candidate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for candidate

candidate

/ (ˈkændɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt) /


noun
  1. a person seeking or nominated for election to a position of authority or honour or selection for a job, promotion, etc

  2. a person taking an examination or test

  1. a person or thing regarded as suitable or likely for a particular fate or position: this wine is a candidate for his cellar

Origin of candidate

1
C17: from Latin candidātus clothed in white (because in ancient Rome a candidate wore a white toga), from candidus white

Derived forms of candidate

  • candidacy (ˈkændɪdəsɪ) or candidature (ˈkændɪdətʃə), noun

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