credible

[kred-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being believed; believable.

   a credible statement.

   Synonyms: tenable, reasonable, likely, plausible

2. worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy.

   a credible witness.

credible

/ ˈkrɛdɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being believed

2. trustworthy or reliable

   the latest claim is the only one to involve a credible witness

Other Word Forms

• credibly adverb
• credibleness noun
• credibility noun
• noncredible adjective
• noncredibleness noun
• noncredibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of credible¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin crēdibilis, from crēd(ere) “to believe, confide, entrust” + -ibilis -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of credible¹

C14: from Latin crēdibilis, from Latin crēdere to believe

Example Sentences

But the union said it had been left with no choice because it had not received a credible offer from the government.

Read more on BBC

The guidance also said the U.S. needs to receive credible diplomatic assurances that the deported people will not be persecuted or tortured.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is creating additional, credible pathways so students can confidently explore futures that match their interests, not merely those with the loudest recruiting machinery.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But how credible the markets deem a chancellor's grip on the finances can affect how much it costs governments to borrow money.

Read more on BBC

It has no way of determining which are credible since it cannot monitor its users’ online activity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conceivable 
• conclusive 
• creditable 
• dependable 
• honest 
• plausible 
• rational 
• reasonable 
• reliable 
• satisfactory 
• satisfying www.thesaurus.com
• sincere 
• solid 
• trustworthy 
• valid