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

They’re easily dazzled by smooth talkers, and they place too much weight on credentials and not enough on skills and motivation.

From Quartz

The hackers use two techniques—one known as "brute forcing" and the other called "password spraying"—in an attempt to obtain targets' Office365 login credentials.

From Ars Technica

Foreign groups used tactics including rotating IP addresses to disguise attacks, web bugs planted in purchased domain names and phishing, in an effort to harvest log-in credentials and gain information on targeted individuals and organizations.

From Fortune

Whenever you get to a point where you need to log in somewhere, you’ll be asked if you want to save the relevant credentials.

From Popular-Science

Importing your passwordsMost password managers give you the option to import credentials from somewhere else, such as your browser.

From Popular-Science

At one point in time, there was a code of conduct: creed and credential.

From The Daily Beast

Students with more experience do better--but need the credential less.

From The Daily Beast

Now, of course, I don't think that education is only a credential.

From The Daily Beast

Especially to the extent that this helps drive a lot of additional spending on said credential.

From The Daily Beast

Felix Salmon argues that college is an increasingly necessary credential.

From The Daily Beast

They enclose a letter which is to serve their victim as a mark of identification or credential when he comes on to purchase.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Alain bound the emissary with cords, like a felon spy, and sent him and his papers and credential signets unto King Stephen.

From Project Gutenberg

After the usual reverences, the chancellor demanded his credential letters, which he read aloud.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to me that that attitude is the only credential which any Christian mission can give for its existence.

From Project Gutenberg

“Your visitor will present to you the missing half of the enclosed card as credential,” he wrote.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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