candidate

American  

[kan-di-deyt, -dit, kan-di-deyt] / ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt, ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt /

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.

3. 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.

4. a student studying for a degree.

   Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.

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verb (used without object)

candidated, candidating

1. to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church; preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.

candidate British  

/ -dɪt, ˈkændɪdətʃə, ˈkændɪˌdeɪt, ˈkændɪdəsɪ /

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

3. a person or thing regarded as suitable or likely for a particular fate or position

   this wine is a candidate for his cellar

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Usage

What does candidate mean? Candidate most commonly means someone who’s seeking to be elected, hired, or appointed to a position, especially a political office or job. The word candidate most commonly refers to a politician seeking election or a person who has applied for a job. But it can be used in several other ways to refer to someone or something under consideration for some kind of treatment or status. Example: We have more than 100 applicants, but almost none of them are qualified candidates for this job.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• precandidature
  noun
• candidacy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of candidate

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, -ate ¹

Explanation

A candidate is someone running for political office — or anyone being considered for a position or opportunity of some sort. When you hear about candidates, it's usually in discussions of politics. People are always wondering, "Who will be the candidates in the next Presidential election?" Every President, and every office-holder, was once a candidate. When you're a candidate, you raise money, hold rallies, make campaign promises, and do everything you can to win. You can also say someone is a candidate for a job, prize, and other things. Someone could jokingly say, "He's a candidate to be my next husband."

Example Sentences

But old guard candidate Xavier Becerra came out on top.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

“To know that he was an endorsed Republican candidate from my district and one that I had voted for because of that endorsement was eye-opening,” she said.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

Despite Pashinyan developing, good-natured relationship with European leaders, Armenia doesn't even have EU candidate status yet, and membership of the bloc is still a long way off.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

That’s how Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt explained his plan in a viral video to solve the city’s litany of problems—without tax hikes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

And in 1880, a battle broke out over who would be the Republican Party's presidential candidate.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• applicant
• aspirant
• bidder
• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• nominee
• successor