credential

[kri-den-shuh l]

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for credentials

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

He could show his credentials at a moment's notice with proud defiance.
The Universal Reciter
Various
The sign and credentials of the poet are that he announces that which no man foretold.
Essays, Second Series
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I think that first, perhaps, I should look at your credentials," Vard suggested.
The Destroyer
Burton Egbert Stevenson
Let us first have our dinner, M'Kinlay, and then I'll write your credentials.
Luttrell Of Arran
Charles James Lever
If you think I am lying, young gentlemen, I will show you my credentials.
Frank Merriwell's Cruise
Burt L. Standish

British Dictionary definitions for credentials

credential

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

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

n.

"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

n.

"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).

credential

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for credentials

Contemporary Examples

First, his credentials: He did international mergers and acquisitions at Lazard, a financial and asset management firm.

And it has become a go-to stop for Republican politicians eager to shore up their Christian credentials.

Cruz also took pains to build up his credentials on foreign policy, appearing at anti-CPAC event sponsored by Frank Gaffney.

I considered whether to enter the fray, since my credentials were in order, so to speak.

Is there anything Zarif could do to forfeit his credentials as a “moderate”?

Historical Examples

He could show his credentials at a moment's notice with proud defiance.

The sign and credentials of the poet are that he announces that which no man foretold.

"I think that first, perhaps, I should look at your credentials," Vard suggested.

Let us first have our dinner, M'Kinlay, and then I'll write your credentials.

If you think I am lying, young gentlemen, I will show you my credentials.

credential

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for credentials

n.

credential

n.

Origin of credential