credibility

Sometimes credi·ble·ness

[kred-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. the quality of being believable or worthy of trust.

   After all those lies, his credibility was at a low ebb.

credibility

/ ˌkrɛdɪˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being believed or trusted

Other Word Forms

• noncredibility noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of credibility¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin crēdibilitās, equivalent to Latin crēdibili(s) credible ( def. ) + -tās -ty ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Sponsorship creates an aura of credibility, even when the underlying project is opaque," she told the BBC - saying this meant fans and supporters should be "very cautious".

Read more on BBC

The U.K. government needed to deliver a zero-drama budget Wednesday, and exude enough political and economic credibility to fend off pressure from the voters and the bond market.

Read more on Barron's

“There is a psychological component to this operation, and it’s starting to lose its credibility,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They are hoping to build credibility and coolness among younger consumers through partnerships with retailers such as streetwear chain Kith, which caters more to young men.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Chancellor believed that giving the forecaster more independence and influence would improve credibility in UK tax and spending policy; the memories of the Truss-Kwarteng mini-Budget may well have been front of mind.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• chance 
• integrity 
• prospect 
• reliability 
• soundness 
• trustworthiness 
• validity