WordGarden.iocredible
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈɛdɪbəl/
US
- /ˈkrɛdəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
believable, plausible, or convincing enough to accept as true or real
reliable or trustworthy as a source of information or judgment
serious, effective, or good enough to be taken seriously
Beyond the definition
If someone tells you they saw a unicorn prancing down Main Street, you'd likely question their credibility. That is, how much do you believe them? Something (or someone) credible inspires trust and confidence. A news source with a history of accurate reporting is considered credible. A witness who consistently tells the truth in court is seen as credible. It's about being worthy of belief—not just saying something, but being believable. Think of it like building blocks: credibility is built up over time through honesty and accuracy.
The word credible describes something that is believable or worthy of trust. It goes beyond simply being true; it implies a source or piece of information has the qualities that make you confident in its reliability.
You might hear about a "credible threat"—meaning a serious and likely danger. Or, a journalist strives to present credible evidence when reporting a story, ensuring their sources are reliable and their facts are accurate. A politician with a history of honesty and integrity is often described as credible.
The root of the word comes from the Latin "credere," meaning "to believe." But credibility isn't just about being believed; it's earning that belief through consistent truthfulness, expertise, or sound reasoning. A rumor might be interesting, but without a credible source, it remains just that—a rumor.
In legal contexts, the credibility of a witness is crucial to a case. In everyday life, we assess the credibility of people and information constantly, deciding who and what we can trust. So, when something is credible, it's not just possible—it's believable, and you have good reason to trust it.
Examples
- 1
Explanation
Her explanation sounded credible, so the teacher accepted it.
- 2
Sources
We only use information from credible sources in our reports.
- 3
Threat assessment
The police said the company had received a credible threat.
- Phrasecredible threat
one that officials think may really happen
- 4
Election
He wasn't the best-known candidate, but he was a credible alternative to the current mayor.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Witness account
The witness gave a calm, detailed account that seemed credible.
- 6
Trustworthiness
After changing his story three times, he was no longer credible.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- credible evidence
- credible source
- credible threat
- credible explanation
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- credibleadjective