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

He has frequently been mentioned as a possible future presidential candidate.

Read more on BBC

Rangers are continuing discussions with managerial candidates despite Kevin Muscat emerging as the favourite to take over from Russell Martin.

Read more on BBC

As the candidate for the Union for Change 2025 -- a coalition of minority opposition parties and civil society groups -- he became the leading challenger after Kamto was barred from standing by the Constitutional Council.

Read more on Barron's

If a new agreement is reached, it will be submitted to parliament, otherwise it will be up to presidential candidates to decide in 2027, he added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Its special properties make the galaxy an ideal candidate for further research into merging black holes and the associated gravitational waves," states Efthalia Traianou.

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.