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

The Kazakh was the only candidate left standing and was named president by acclamation at the annual congress in Rome.

Read more on Barron's

Mamdani, like the Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia, campaigned single-mindedly on affordability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He recognizes Mamdani as a powerful force, a fellow populist who, like the president, ran as an outsider against establishment candidates in his party and won.

Read more on Salon

Today we discuss Texas, overreaction and the voluminous field of candidates for California governor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even so, the planet's close distance to Earth makes it a strong candidate for direct imaging using the University of California's Thirty Meter Telescope, which is currently under development.

Read more on Science Daily

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.