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Synonyms

accredited

American  
[uh-kred-i-tid] / əˈkrɛd ɪ tɪd /

adjective

  1. officially recognized as meeting the essential requirements, as of academic excellence.

    accredited schools.

  2. provided with official credentials, as by a government.

    an accredited diplomatic representative.

  3. accepted as authoritative.

    an accredited theory.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of accredited

First recorded in 1625–35; accredit + -ed 2

Explanation

When you're accredited in your profession, you've shown that you meet certain standards. Schools and colleges are accredited by various educational organizations, dentists are accredited by the American Dental Association, and other professionals are accredited by their own organizations. The key to accredited is the word in the middle: credit. If you give someone credit, you praise them and recognize something they've done. Accredited is similar: If you’re a school or a doctor or another kind of professional, being accredited means you've been tested and evaluated by an outside person or committee and these specialists agree that you meet the standards of that profession. When people hire you, they can be assured that you know what you’re doing.

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Vocabulary lists containing accredited

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Around 220 people are still accredited to Russian diplomatic missions in Austria.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Beth, Laura and the children have now done further, accredited DNA tests which can be used in British courts.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Without them, the zoo no longer met Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums standards requiring accredited zoos to have at least three Asian elephants.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Eni said it had no direct contracts with accused companies and received shipments through an accredited supplier who "immediately suspended all operations with the companies involved in the investigation".

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Unfortunately, the school had no accredited sulking program and I dropped out, more despondent than ever.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris