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.

---

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

---

adjective

1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• credentialed
  adjective
• uncredentialed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of credential

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

Explanation

A credential is something that’s proof of a claim you make about yourself or your skills. You might earn a credential in computer networking that lets employers know that you’re qualified to do the job. A credential can be a particular qualification that you earn or it can refer more generally to achievements or qualities that you’ve acquired over time. You’ll most often see the word credential used in its plural form: credentials. You typically refer to your credentials to show that you're qualified to do something. Your strong academic credentials might qualify you to work as an assistant at a hip magazine during the summer.

Example Sentences

At the same time Clark was damaging her image, her Fever bosses came under fire for trying to protect that image by revoking the credential of veteran Fever and Pacers beat reporter Scott Agness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Francis is Hegseth’s military assistant—and that’s his key credential as far as the self-named “secretary of war” is concerned.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

This month, though, the 20-year-old will receive an associate degree in early childhood education, a credential that will bump her from hourly to salaried employee, at higher pay, at the preschool where she works.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

A separate unit consists of middle managers who don’t have a teaching credential.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Claytor, who earned a PhD in math from the University of Pennsylvania in 1933, was only the third Negro in the country to obtain the credential.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

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