credit score

American  

[kred-it skawr] / ˈkrɛd ɪt ˌskɔr /

noun

Personal Finance.

1. a numerical ranking of an individual’s financial creditworthiness based on spending and credit history, indicating to potential lenders and credit card issuers the individual’s capacity and likelihood to make timely payments of amounts due on loans or credit cards.

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Etymology

Origin of credit score

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Without any negative information, a starting credit score could be in the “good” range, and then whether it moves up over time to “very good” or “exceptional” will be up to the new adult.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Improving their credit score is one of the few levers consumers have to lower their borrowing costs, especially as prices for cars and homes remain high.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

Credit scores don’t always correlate with incomes, but a larger income can help borrowers stay current on their bills and build their credit score.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

If renters are thinking about buying a house and trying to improve their credit score, they should check if their landlord is reporting their on-time payments to credit bureaus.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

The player winning the first stroke gets a credit score of 15; for the second he gets 30; for the third 40, and if he wins the fourth he has the game.

From Entertainments for Home, Church and School by Seeger, Frederica