credible
Americanadjective
-
capable of being believed; believable.
a credible statement.
- Synonyms:
- tenable, reasonable, likely, plausible
-
worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy.
a credible witness.
adjective
-
capable of being believed
-
trustworthy or reliable
the latest claim is the only one to involve a credible witness
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of credible
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin crēdibilis, from crēd(ere) “to believe, confide, entrust” + -ibilis -ible
Compare meaning
How does credible compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Someone who's credible is honest and believable. A pathological liar, for example, might not be the most credible witness for your case against the bank robber. Similar to words like reliable and plausible, credible is an adjective that comes to us from the Latin credibilis, meaning “worthy to be believed.” A credible reputation is often earned through consistent good behavior and an overall trustworthy personality. Spill a secret you promised to keep, or lie under oath in a courtroom, and you lose all credibility.
Vocabulary lists containing credible
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Believe It or Not: Cred
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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.
However, he personally believes that in this case, there is no other credible explanation – a view that is common among aviation professionals.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
“This year’s IPO class suggests investors are willing to fund growth, but only when supported by credible business models and durable competitive advantages,” said Rabe.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
"We must make the enlargement process faster and more credible," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the small town of Tivat, best known for its superyacht-lined port.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
No doubt, the show had made mistakes and errors of judgment over time, while some of its leaders had faced credible accusations of heinous misdeeds and staff mistreatment.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
It might not have been possible, or at least not as credible and visceral.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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.
