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

Flush with money to pay for lobbyists and to fund campaigns, Indigenous people began fielding more candidates than ever, and both parties started belatedly, and often awkwardly, targeting Native voters. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2024

Despite all the different candidates, national priorities, international challenges, economic conditions, etc. —John V. Kane, TIME, 29 Apr. 2024

There is considerable speculation regarding the potential candidates to fill the seat, with a shortlist that includes at least twelve individuals. —USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024

Jennifer Pace, another candidate who qualified for the ballot, died suddenly in early March of what her family believes was a heart attack. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2024

The company says its Smart Sourcing tool recommends candidate profiles based on an employer’s needs. —Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 29 Apr. 2024

Both leading candidates, according to polls, are women. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024

That's still the case, but today, the gap between the two candidates has narrowed. —Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2024

Voters should demand fiscal responsibility The panelists agreed that voters need to elect candidates wisely and put pressure on officials to address looming economic problems. —Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 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

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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.