candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈka-nə-,

-dət

1

a

: one that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office, membership, or award

a candidate for governor

a candidate for "Manager of the Year"

the best candidate for the job

b

: one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified

a candidate for surgery

2

: a student in the process of meeting final requirements for a degree

a PhD candidate

Did you know?

Roman Fashion Is Responsible for Candidate

When a man running for public office in ancient Rome greeted voters in the Forum, the center of judicial and public business, he wore a toga that had been whitened with chalk. As a result, the Latin word for someone seeking office came to be candidatus, meaning literally "clothed in white." Candidatus, in turn, comes from the adjective candidus, meaning "white." Candidatus was adopted into English as candidate, and since the 17th century that word has had an uncontested seat in the language.

Synonyms

• applicant
• applier
• aspirant
• campaigner
• contender
• expectant
• hopeful
• prospect
• seeker

Examples of candidate in a Sentence

Candidates can apply in person or send a resume.

a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics

The program has several doctoral candidates.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Washington Post’s chief executive, Will Lewis, announced on Friday that the newspaper would not endorse a candidate for President this year and would not do so in future Presidential elections. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

An interviewer is more likely to remember the candidate who talked about reducing client onboarding time by 20% than one who just mentioned meeting deadlines. —Mark Murphy, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Osborn, a former union president and Navy veteran, is a first-time candidate running in a traditionally GOP stronghold. —Kate Walter, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2024

Here are some that might affect your personal finances: How might the candidates add to the national debt? —Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin candidatus, from candidatus clothed in white, from candidus white; from the white toga worn by candidates for office in ancient Rome

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

candidate

noun

can·​di·​date ˈkan-də-ˌdāt 

ˈkan-ə-,

-dət

: one who runs in an election contest or is proposed for an office or honor

Etymology

from Latin candidatus "candidate," from candidatus (adjective) "dressed in white," from candidus "shining white," from candēre "to be bright, shine" — related to candid, candle

Word Origin

In ancient Rome it was the custom for a person who wanted to be elected to public office to wear a toga that had been rubbed with chalk to make it white. The Latin word for "dressed in white" was candidatus. In time this word came to be used for the person himself, or the candidate. The Latin word candidatus came from candidus, meaning "bright, shining white." This in turn came from candēre, a verb meaning "to shine, be bright." Latin candēre has given us two other English words: candid, which at first meant "white, free from prejudice" but now usually means "honest, natural," and candle, the mass of wax with a wick that is burned to give off a bright light.