credence

noun

cre·​dence ˈkrē-dᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: mental acceptance as true or real

give credence to gossip

b

: credibility sense 1

lends credence to the theory

an idea that is gaining credence

2

: credentials

—used in the phrase letters of credence

3

[Middle French, from Old Italian credenza] : a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate

4

: a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration

Synonyms of credence

• confidence
• trust
• faith

Choose the Right Synonym for credence

belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance.

belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer.

my belief that I had caught all the errors

faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof.

an unshakable faith in God

credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent.

a theory now given credence by scientists

credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof.

gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness

Examples of credence in a Sentence

The theory is gaining credence among scientists.

I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.

Recent Examples on the Web

The idea of football being a young man’s game was given more credence by the fact that just £49million (one per cent) was spent on players aged 29 or over. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

But in the opinions of the two lead detectives on the case, to comment on every single one, to give credence publicly to even the most dubious messages, as Captain Donahoe was doing, only made the department look like a bunch of saps. —Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026

Washington’s rhetoric over a potential assault on the Danish territory has been given greater credence by its capture of Venezuela’s president, and European leaders are scrambling to respond. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Her experience, antitrust experts say, lends credence to concerns that UnitedHealth Group’s acquisitions of an array of health care operations have given it too much power over patients and the doctors treating them. —Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent-, credens, present participle of credere to believe, trust — more at creed

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing credence

• give credence to
• lend weight/credence/credibility
• letter of credence
• place/put little credence in

Rhymes for credence

• impedance

Kids Definition

credence

noun

cre·​dence ˈkrēd-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: a ready acceptance of something as true or real

give credence to gossip

2

: credibility sense 1

lends credence to the theory