candidate

American  

[kan-di-deyt, -dit, kan-di-deyt] / ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt, -dɪt, ˈkæn dɪˌdeɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ -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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• candidacy
  noun
• precandidature
  noun

Etymology

Origin of candidate

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); see candid, -ate ¹

Explanation

A candidate is someone running for political office — or anyone being considered for a position or opportunity of some sort. When you hear about candidates, it's usually in discussions of politics. People are always wondering, "Who will be the candidates in the next Presidential election?" Every President, and every office-holder, was once a candidate. When you're a candidate, you raise money, hold rallies, make campaign promises, and do everything you can to win. You can also say someone is a candidate for a job, prize, and other things. Someone could jokingly say, "He's a candidate to be my next husband."

Example Sentences

It’s a crowded field that includes a member of the Kennedy clan, a Republican turned Bluesky superposter, and a candidate with the financial backing of none other than Michael Bloomberg.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2026

The company said its lead drug candidate, obefazimod, met the primary and key secondary goals in a late-stage trial for ulcerative colitis, but analysts pointed to safety concerns that surfaced in the study.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

He is the outstanding candidate in the country to be the attack leader.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Peru's right-wing presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori promised on Sunday to crack down on crime, while leftist Roberto Sanchez vowed to tackle the "political mafia," in the final debate before the country's June 7 runoff election.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

Opposing them were the Half-Breeds, who considered Grant a losing candidate because many voters had become disgusted by the scandals and corruption during his time in office.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• applicant
• aspirant
• bidder
• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• nominee
• successor