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

Derived Forms

• ˈcredibly, adverb
• ˈcredibleness, noun

Other Words From

• credi·bili·ty credi·ble·ness noun
• credi·bly adverb
• non·credi·ble adjective
• non·credi·ble·ness noun
• non·credi·bly 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

The allegations were clearly credible: Three women reportedly testified that they witnessed Gaetz attending a drug-fueled sex party with the 17-year-old.

From Slate

A sobering independent review two months later determined there was “near zero probability” of Mars Sample Return making its proposed 2028 launch date, and “no credible” way to fulfill the mission within its current budget.

From Los Angeles Times

With the media’s assistance, Trump’s bottom-line gaslighting claim — that Democrats are the real threat to American democracy, and he's its savior — seemed far too credible to far too many voters.

From Salon

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office received a bomb threat Friday night but concluded that the threat was not credible, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

On election day, fake bomb threats were made at dozens of polling locations in swing states such as Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona, but none were found to be credible.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conceivable
• conclusive
• creditable
• dependable
• good-faith
• honest
• plausible
• rational
• reasonable
• reliable
• satisfactory
• satisfying
• sincere
• solid
• trustworthy
• valid