credential

[ kri-den-shuhl ]

noun

1. Usually credentials.
   1. evidence of authority, status, rights, entitlement to privileges, or the like, usually in written form:

      Only those with the proper credentials are admitted.

   2. Digital Technology. information that identifies an account and keeps it secure, as username and password:

      The IT department assigns temporary system credentials to new employees.

2. anything that provides the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

verb (used with object)

, cre·den·tialed, cre·den·tial·ing or especially British cre·den·tialled, cre·den·tial·ling.

1. to grant credentials to, especially educational and professional ones:

   She has been credentialed to teach math.

adjective

1. providing the basis for confidence, belief, credit, etc.

credential

/ krɪˈdɛnʃəl /

noun

1. something that entitles a person to confidence, authority, etc
2. plural a letter or certificate giving evidence of the bearer's identity or competence

adjective

1. entitling one to confidence, authority, etc

Derived Forms

• creˈdentialed, adjective

Other Words From

• uncre·dentialed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of credential¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English credencial, from Medieval Latin crēdenti(a); credence, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of credential¹

C16: from Medieval Latin crēdentia credit, trust; see credence

Example Sentences

That's a different thing than when you go out there and here it was a little bit about credentials.

From Salon

A marketing executive and mother of three, she was intrigued by the opportunity to work with a dating coach with impressive credentials.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet his solid working-class credentials added powerful support to Tony Blair and the Labour modernisers.

From BBC

Reeves has often sought to underline her economic credentials by pointing to the roles she held before becoming an MP.

From BBC

"We didn’t have credentials to get on the field. But I said 'no-one is going to pay attention'. This was pre-9/11, security was much more lax than it is now."

From BBC

Related Words

• affidavit
• authentication
• authorization
• certification
• coupon
• deed
• diploma
• documentation
• guarantee
• license
• paper
• permit
• receipt
• ticket
• voucher
• warrant
• warranty