credential

American  

[kri-den-shuhl] / krɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

noun

1. Usually credentials.

   1. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form.

      Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.

   2. Digital Technology. information that identifies an account and keeps it secure, as username and password.

      The IT department assigns temporary system credentials to new employees.

2. anything that provides the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

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verb (used with object)

credentialed, credentialing, credentialled, credentialling

1. to grant credentials to, especially educational and professional ones.

   She has been credentialed to teach math.

adjective

1. providing the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

credential British  

/ krɪˈdɛnʃəl /

noun

1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc

2. (plural) a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence

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adjective

1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Other Word Forms

• credentialed adjective
• uncredentialed adjective

Etymology

Origin of credential

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English credencial, from Medieval Latin crēdenti(a); credence, -al ¹

Example Sentences

You’ll also want to check the buyer’s credentials or applicable ratings.

From MarketWatch

You’ll also want to check the buyer’s credentials or applicable ratings.

From MarketWatch

But the Gunners ground out vital results and they answered any lingering doubts over their title credentials with an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Villa on Tuesday.

From BBC

Mr. Mamdani’s appeal wasn’t primarily to the working poor, but to professional-class voters who felt cheated by their lack of success despite strong credentials.

From The Wall Street Journal

Third-placed Villa, who beat Arsenal 2-1 at home on December 6, trail six points behind the leaders after a chastening result that served as a reality check to their title credentials.

From Barron's

Related Words

• affidavit
• authentication
• authorization
• certification
• coupon
• deed
• diploma
• documentation
• guarantee
• license
• paper
• permit
• receipt
• ticket
• voucher
• warrant
• warranty