credential

[ kri-den-shuh l ]

/ krɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR credential ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Usually credentials. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form: Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.

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

verb (used with object), cre·den·tialed, cre·den·tial·ing or especially British cre·den·tialled, cre·den·tial·ling.

to grant credentials to, especially educational and professional ones: She has been credentialed to teach math.

adjective

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

Nearby words

Origin of credential

1425–75; late Middle English credencial < Medieval Latin crēdenti(a) credence + -al¹

Related formsun·cre·den·tialed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for credentials

First, his credentials: He did international mergers and acquisitions at Lazard, a financial and asset management firm.
Sen. Warren’s Main Street Crusade to Pressure Clinton|Eleanor Clift|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And it has become a go-to stop for Republican politicians eager to shore up their Christian credentials.
Church Sex Scandals Are Rooted in Theology|Jay Michaelson|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cruz also took pains to build up his credentials on foreign policy, appearing at anti-CPAC event sponsored by Frank Gaffney.
Ted Cruz Is The Star Of CPAC|Ben Jacobs|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I considered whether to enter the fray, since my credentials were in order, so to speak.
The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast|Robert B. Weide|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Is there anything Zarif could do to forfeit his credentials as a “moderate”?
How Iran, Putin and Assad Outwitted America|David Keyes|January 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ambassador handed his credentials to the Doge, and remained uncovered while they were being read.
The Quarterly Review, Volume 162, No. 324, April, 1886|Various
You read my credentials—you inquired as to my former situations at the Governess Institute where you engaged me.
A Coin of Edward VII|Fergus Hume
He came, while yet a young man, to the Court of Leo armed with Latin poetry for his credentials.
Renaissance in Italy, Volume 2 (of 7)|John Addington Symonds
By your own admission you have no credentials—we have only your word that you are even related to Jacob Winters.
Penny Nichols and the Mystery of the Lost Key|Joan Clark
Branston met us, announced the arrival, and handed me the stranger's credentials.
Uncle Silas|J. S. LeFanu

British Dictionary definitions for credentials

credential

/ (krɪˈdɛnʃəl) /

noun

something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc

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

adjective

entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Derived Formscredentialed, adjective

Word Origin for credential

C16: from Medieval Latin crēdentia credit, trust; see credence

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for credentials

credentials

"letters entitling the bearer to certain credit or confidence," 1670s, from Medieval Latin credentialis, from credentia (see credence). Probably immediately as a shortening of letters credential (1520s, with French word order); earlier was letter of credence (mid-14c.).

credential

"that which entitles to credit," 1756, probably a back-formation from credentials. Earlier in English as an adjective, "confirming, corroborating" (late 15c.). As a verb, "provide with credentials," by 1828 (implied in dredentialed).