candidate

[kan-di-deyt, -dit, kan-di-deyt]

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.

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

/ -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

Other Word Forms

• candidacy noun
• precandidature noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of candidate¹

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); candid, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of candidate¹

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

Example Sentences

Political rivals and pundits seized on the moment as evidence of a candidate struggling under scrutiny.

From Salon

The former congresswoman’s Democratic rivals in the 2026 gubernatorial race seized on her comments, and Democratic strategists not associated with any candidate in the race also cringed.

From Los Angeles Times

It seems everyone’s playing the game better than he is, and after months of toiling in unemployment hell, Man-su devises a plan to get rid of his competition by killing off the most appealing candidates.

From Salon

The committee which organised Syria's first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad has acknowledged "significant shortcomings", after results showed only 13% of the seats contested were won by female and minority candidates.

From BBC

And the Republican Party is targeting a decades-old law that prevents political candidates and parties from coordinating their campaign spending.

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.