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

Casting agents say the most successful candidates have a few key qualities, but there is one big requirement for all: you must talk about your feelings.

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Five out of the seven candidates running to lead the IOC have said they favor stricter rules for defining female athletes.

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“Curtis is the only candidate for NYC mayor who rides the subway,” it says.

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Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the court is considering cases that could affect the rights of voters and fundraising rules for candidates.

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Prospective employers sometimes see applicants who’ve been out of work for a while as tainted, assuming they would have been hired sooner if they were good candidates.

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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.