credibility
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of credibility
First recorded in 1570–80; from Late Latin crēdibilitās, equivalent to Latin crēdibili(s) credible ( def. ) + -tās -ty 2 ( def. )
Explanation
You have credibility when you seem totally trustworthy or believable. You lose it when you start lying, cheating and acting rather shady. Credibility is a noun that speaks to plausibility or believableness, so the star witness at your trial or the person writing your recommendation letter should certainly have it. Be careful though, because someone with credibility isn't necessarily telling the truth. As any con man or politician can tell you, credibility can easily come from nothing more than a confident smile.
Vocabulary lists containing credibility
Argumentative Writing
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Believe It or Not: Cred
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Argumentative Writing, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you go there and mention a player in the same light then you'd better have credibility and an unarguable case.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
What we are watching with her is someone collecting new credibility with each provocative and unlikely alliance while the actual content of her work continues largely unexamined by the outlets that cover her rise.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
Both are great island nations that find themselves besieged by cranky bond markets, at risk of losing their fiscal credibility.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Urging the court to answer "no" to the question before it, Yip said the case "goes to the credibility of the entire international labour system".
From Barron's • May 21, 2026
To insist that the issue of validity must be separated from the issue of credibility is to insist that well-founded beliefs be treated as if they are unfounded beliefs.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
