credential

American  

[kri-den-shuhl] / krɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

noun

1. Usually credentials.

   1. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form.

      Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.

   2. Digital Technology. information that identifies an account and keeps it secure, as username and password.

      The IT department assigns temporary system credentials to new employees.

2. anything that provides the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

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verb (used with object)

credentialed, credentialing, credentialled, credentialling

1. to grant credentials to, especially educational and professional ones.

   She has been credentialed to teach math.

adjective

1. providing the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

credential British  

/ krɪˈdɛnʃəl /

noun

1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc

2. (plural) a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence

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adjective

1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Other Word Forms

• credentialed adjective
• uncredentialed adjective

Etymology

Origin of credential

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English credencial, from Medieval Latin crēdenti(a); see credence, -al ¹

Explanation

A credential is something that’s proof of a claim you make about yourself or your skills. You might earn a credential in computer networking that lets employers know that you’re qualified to do the job. A credential can be a particular qualification that you earn or it can refer more generally to achievements or qualities that you’ve acquired over time. You’ll most often see the word credential used in its plural form: credentials. You typically refer to your credentials to show that you're qualified to do something. Your strong academic credentials might qualify you to work as an assistant at a hip magazine during the summer.

Example Sentences

A separate unit represents middle managers who don’t have a teaching credential.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The IIT degree, long India's most coveted credential, is beginning to look less like a golden ticket and more like a lottery.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

“This means that once the law is officially enacted, your current credential will be invalid immediately.”

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

Recruiters and hiring managers say they don’t know how much stock to put in a credential from any of the innumerable online courses out there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Eric Epps had made good on his promise to find employment for his brother-in-law Jimmy Goble, who had traded his teaching credential for a painters job at the Newport News shipyard.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• affidavit
• authentication
• authorization
• certification
• coupon
• deed
• diploma
• documentation
• guarantee
• license
• paper
• permit
• receipt
• ticket
• voucher
• warrant
• warranty